Summer family traditions

Redbirds game on the bluff
Sun 5/25/2014

No big surprise here but this summer is quickly passing us by.  As we've been enjoying the unseasonably pleasant weather this week, it dawned on me that my girls will be going back to school in 2 weeks.  Seems not long ago that we kicked off this summer  sporting our patriotic t-shirts and enjoying a baseball game and fireworks at AutoZone Park over Memorial Day weekend.

Every summer brings an opportunity for our family to make new memories and relive some family traditions we've enjoyed over the years.  Every family needs the anticipation, experiences and memories that come from a planned vacation.  We've been fortunate and extremely blessed to be able to go on a family vacation every summer since 2006, the year after Nicole was born.  The past 8 summers we've enjoyed going to Perdido Key, FL, usually right in the middle of summer (wk of July 4th), thanks to Barbara and Jim's generosity in allowing us to stay at their fabulous condo on the beach.  One of my own traditions is to create a video slideshow of our trip.  I've posted this year's video on my youtube page:
(note:  you may not be able to view this year's video on a mobile device, but should be able to view the prior years.)

Here's a direct link to the video: FL vacation 2014

Something I read recently stuck with me:  Memories are not built by default.  Memories are made by couples and parents who are intentional about being together.  Just as the romance of marriage relationship is enhanced by cozy getaways, the romance of a relationship with your children is built on the memories you create together. 
 
Some other summer family traditions of ours include:  Jerry's Sno Cones, Donuts with Dad (Fridays before summer camp), Redbirds games, Saturday evenings on the patio/grilling, and watching America's Got Talent.

What are some of your summer family traditions?