Friend Makin' Monday~4th of July

I am participating in today's Friend Makin' Monday fun. It is a weekly carnival in which bloggers meet each other and share ideas and opinions. I am excited to take part for the second (or third) time. This week is all about the 4th of July. If you want to join in too, go here for the details. You can link up with Shawn, the host this week, by clicking here.

What are you doing this July 4th?

This year we will be celebrating the 4th as a family of 4!

We will hang out here at the house and in the evening we will celebrate with all our neighbors. We usually get permission from the city to block off the street. We have tons of food and drinks. We set up a volleyball net and a water slide for the kids! It is a hoot. I am looking forward to it this year because I was hugely pregnant last year. When the sun goes down our HOA does an amazing fireworks show. We just plop our chairs in the front yard and watch the show! Layla is loving each holiday more and more so we are hoping for a BLAST this year.

**What is your favorite dish to pass when attending a 4th of July party or summer barbecue?**

I usually make my Mmmmm brownies and this year I am making Warm Mexican dip. There should be a warning label on the dip. It is to die for, and we have a joke about how addicting it is...my best friend calls it 'crack dip' Not that she'd know about crack, but you get the idea :) Check the bottom of this post for the recipe.

**Do you have any July 4th traditions?**

Our tradition is to hang with the neighbors! We should start some family traditions for before the block party...give me some ideas if you have any! The block party is in the afternoon/evening. We should certainly do something before that, we just never have.

Layla last year

**Share your favorite July 4th picture.**

4th of July family picture from 2007

And one from 2008...I was about to pop..9 months pregnant.

I was sooooo miserable and it was so HOT!!

Warm Mexican Dip

8oz cream cheese

8 oz sour cream

2 cans Frito's bean dip

4 oz chopped green chilies

10 dashes of Tabasco

1cup cheddar cheese

1cup Monterrey Jack cheese

pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients with half of the cheese in a 9x13 Pyrex. Sprinkle rest of cheese on top. Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes. Serve with chips.

Happy 4th of July.

Leave me comments of your 4th of July traditions that you think I should incorporate to our family of 4!!