How do you celebrate the 4th of July?

Happy fourth of July!

As a child, I remember family celebrations where we enjoyed potato salad, burgers, and so much more. My siblings and I would swoop and dance as we used sparklers to write our names in the hot summer evening. We oohed and aahed over my dad's fireworks show just as much as we did the professional displayes at a nearby park.

July 4th continues to be a family celebration. The focus has shifted to a birthday festivities with my husband's family as he shares his July 5th birthday with his twin sister. This year we enjoyed my mother-in-law's yummy homemade enchaladas, rice, beans, and salsa. I made Decadant Chocolate Orange Cake for the birthday boy and girl. We worked off the abundance playing with my toddler. He is becoming frighteningly proficient at walking. His favorite game is pulling any available and willing family member around by the finger. He laughs, talks, and squeals as he investigates his world on a whole new level.

Being able to celebrate in your own way is a wonderful gift that began long ago, following from the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. What did today and the preceeding weekend bring for you?