Happy Birthday America!

My family has a very standard tradition for independence day! Much like other americans we have a huge cookout with our close friends and family.  There are the usual foods: burgers, hot dogs, chicken, ribs and brats.  We buy a ton of sparklers and there are a few to many beers.  We end the night going to the waterpark to watch the fireworks.  It was nice that the rain held on so we could enjoy these things since it had rained everyday for a week.  We go to Old Navy and pay a ridiculous amount for 6 t shirts we will only wear once.  We spend all day downtown with almost a million other people enjoying the parade and the food and the atmosphere.  Independence day is a huge deal around our since I am a Navy Veteran.  But unlike a lot of families when it comes to firework time there are very differently roles.  Mommy is hunkered down with the 7 year old autistic kid and the intimidated 3 year old while daddy is oohing and ahhing with the excited 9 and 5 year olds.