Patterson Reunion Saturday July 3

Northern California clan had all arrived by Saturday morning, as had Greats and Laura and Lyle. We met Lloyd and Linda’s train in San Jose and then the Stafford’s plane that was just 2 miles away and 40 minutes later. The Idahodians drove 20 hours to arrive before the Greenlunds and Staffords. Thus, everyone was showed up on the first day, which is a first for the reunions. The age range was from 0 years to 77 years, and the clan included 22 people and 4 dogs.

Much of the day was spent catching up and practicing for the big parade. That night we barbequed in the backyard and sat around the new fire pit on the new wooden deck in the evening. Melissa and Gracie took advantage of other options.

Mike, Heather, Andrew, and Grace decide go to one of the few remaining Drive-Ins to see the new Harry Potter movie. Andrew, who lives and breathes Harry Potter, thought it was the best movie ever. Grace disagreed. She said it was the worst movie ever, repeatedly in case no one heard her, over the four-mile trip from the Drive-In to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. When all three were at the long sink in the bathroom, Grace gave her Mom a dirty look and then shot her an elbow to her side. Hence, the Andrew-Grace review of Harry Potter, the Prisoner of Azkaban, was one thumbs up and one elbow in the ribs.

With this many people we got the cousins to volunteer to sleep in the backyard in a tent. This 16' by 10' tent held 6  in relative comfort.