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As a child we would always spend 2 weeks during the summer at my Grandparents house. We would pack up tons of stuff (they lived out in the middle of nowhere) to the point where you couldn't even see us in the backseat of the car. By the end of those 2 weeks, we wouldn't have touched even half of that stuff because we had more fun exploring the outdoors. Those 2 weeks every year were some of the best memories that I have from my childhood.

One of my favorite summer traditions is having ice cream sodas on the 4th of July. My mom has been doing it since she was a child, continued the tradition with her family and now I continue it with mine. OOOH, I feel a layout coming on! =)

For many years, we've loved camping with friends during the summer. Now we camp with our friends and all our kids. It's so great to see our children becoming friends and sharing this wonderful activity.

I love sitting around a good campfire, making smores, pole pies, and lots of other fire food. It reminds me of when I was a kid, camping with my family and friends. I can't wait to share that with my own children and make memories.

Summer is a favorite time aorund our house. Good food, watermelon and family cook outs are a must!

each year we go for a week long stay by the lake with friends.....

fireworks up north in the boat followed by a mass exodus of boats trying to get back to thier cottages -- it's a bit scary when everyone starts but so beautiful with all the lights on the water.

My favorite summer tradition is spending the 4th of July with family and watching fireworks.

My favorite summer tradition is going to the Springfield Midtown Parade on July 4. We meet the great-grandparents there every year. The event is pretty small potatoes, but that just adds to the charm . . . lots of dear, white-headed folks waving flags and throwing candy to the children. Americana at its best!

What a great group of giveaways!
My favorite summer tradition is enjoying time spent catching up with old friends from around the country. So nice!

We love to go camping. We pack up our tent and rough it for several days. No TV, computer, etc. to interfere with family time.

camping out in the backyard and watching the satrs come out.

A weekend at our lake cabin with girlfriends and their kids, no husbands. We don't follow a schedule, we don't wear shoes, we have camp fires and crafts, and eat lots of locally made ice cream. It is something our kids will remember forever.

4th of July cookout, everyone gets together for the day and it is great. puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.

We love to have BBQ's (or braai's as us South Africans call them) on summer evenings, and then eat outside. And when we moved to Perth, Australia we loved to go to have a swim at the beach at about 7pm.

One of my favorite summer traditions is grilling with friends!! It's always such a good time & it's great to enjoy the weather, the food & the company!

bbq, bbq, bbq, everybody shows up for it. the whole family together in one place at the same time. It's the best thing in the world!

My favorite summer tradition is going to my in-laws cottage and spending a wonderful week by the lake!

Our favourite summer thing is to grab fish & chips & head down to our local surf beach. We sit on little wooden tables & eat & then go & play at the beach. we also get to watch the sunset. It is the simple thing of being together & watching nature at its best!!

We just returned from our traditional last weekend of June get-together with my husband's college friends. It's the 10th year we've done this, and it seems to kick off the summer.