Finally had an opportunity to look at the pictures from July 4th, looking at these photographs brought back foggy memories from previous years.

One of our fun family traditions of July 4th weekend is when "the adults/ our parents" bring out the annual lemon drop shots, line up the shots with "the kids" (us, the offspring) and they pour round after round of shots as both kids and parents throw them back one after another and participate in a true bonding experience.

Paul Rachman, of the Slamdance Film Festival, bravely ventured to last year's July 4th weekend with my family. It wasn't Paul's first time, but to come again, he sure was brave. The parents were lining up round after round of shots, when finally Paul and I realized we needed to split, we gave each other a look that spelled out "we need to get out of here or we may not make it." So, we pulled a Houdini and slipped out when nobody was looking.

Remembering when I first came to realize that all families did not have these types of July 4th traditions made me wonder...have our parents been setting a bad example for us?

After thinking about us, the kids, I can say with confidence; we're all still alive, we grow closer to each other with every year and last, both kids and parents alike are some of the best people I've ever known. I think it's because of things like these odd traditions we grew up being surrounded by, the traditions were all-inclusive and the parents always understood if couldn't make it to the next round.

Cocktail Hour, July 4th 2004:

my adorable dad

Nearing the end of Cocktail Hour:

Pam, Bill and offspring

Anticipating lemon drop shot time...

JB, Phyllis & their offspring

Rounds of Lemon Drop Shots:

Post Lemon Drop Shots:

my little brother

more offspring

And then there are the parents/ adults:

Bill & Terry

Jackie, Phyllis, Tom & me

Greg

my dancing dad

Jackie

me, my friend Cindy, Murph

Tom

Judy and Donna

Terry

my dad, Jackie and me

Until next year....