Fourth of July Traditions

For my family traditions are a big part of any holiday, including the Fourth of July. We spend the weekend closest to the Fourth of July at our second home by Lake Perry, called Turkey Hill. Family, boyfriends, and friends of family all come together to celebrate. Every year we make home made ice-cream by hand. My sister's boyfriend, Brooks, did the honor of cranking it this year. We have an annual water balloon toss with everyone, and then we have a huge water balloon fight with the remaining balloons. As for eating, we take festive food very seriously. Red, white, and blue jello, cake, and our ice-cream are my favorites. (You can tell what kind of food I like best!) This year my sister, Allie, made a "naked cake." (He He) My other sister, Sophie, made red, white, and blue drinks! Not only is Fourth of July a time for family photos, but also fireworks! On the way there we always stop at a fireworks stand to buy some fireworks for later. When there still is day light we shoot off parachutes. This year everyone caught their parachute before it landed on the ground! After that, we shoot off our smaller fireworks. Then when we at last get to the grand finale, there are huge bursts of color and displays of twinkling shimmers. When the grand finale is over, we finish off with some sparklers before heading off to bed. 

~ GPF