Let me just start by saying that the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. I love it for several reasons...
1) Fun food that you get to grill
2) Celebrating with family and friends
3) No pretense of gifts that take away from the real meaning
4) It celebrates independence, which being a political science major is a pretty amazing concept
5) Almost all Americans agree on this holiday, it is not overshadowed by race or religion or any other opposing views
6) Fireworks are super fun and I never get tired of seeing them!
This Independence day my husband, sil, sil's boyfriend, and I headed to Pennsylvania to hang out with my family. My grandparents have a house in a lakeside community that my parents have recently inherited. The lake house is one of my favorite places because it is surrounded by huge trees, deer, whistle pigs (also known as groundhogs), and has good recreation. We have a boat and typically spend a lot of time cruising the lake or riding on an inner-tube.
This fourth weekend we headed out on the boat to watch an amazing fireworks display over the lake. It was a great time and I really enjoyed spending it with my family and friends.
We also had a post wedding reception at the lake house. It was really great, I got to visit with people that I seldom get to see at a happy event. One of my oldest friends drove in from upstate New York...we met in sixth grade, hard to believe we are even better friends now then we were then. In the recent past I have only seen most of them at my grandfather's funeral. It is nice to have new happier memories. I also got to see, or shall I say meet, family that I have not seen since I was very young. Isn't it strange that after 25 years, the most original thing people can find to say is "I remember when you were this big" (visualize a hand being held out a waist height). Sadly, I say the same thing when I see people younger than me! I guess it is all part of being an adult.
Although there were trying moments during the weekend, spending time with the extended family while dealing with places that I associate closely with my grandfather, it was really a great weekend. I am glad that my husband and sil were able to see the lake house, since it has so many great memories for me.
Oh, and one random shout out goes to Troyer Farms Salt 'n Vinegar Potato Chips. I know many of you think not only who are Troyer Farms and why would anyone eat Salt 'n Vinegar potato chips. Troyer Farms is a small little potato chip company from Waterford, Pennsylvania (home of my mom). And they have the best tasting Salt 'n Vinegar chips ever! You can only find them in a very limited area in Pennsylvania, so I had to make a special request for my aunts to bring me some. And boy were they good! They never disappoint.
And do you know what is even better, my husband went online and found out that I can order them online! ROCK ON!