Happy Birthday, America!

For the 4th, we went to Aunt Steph and Uncle Henry's Wic's for a pool party!

The kids played with the boat

and the adults visited

before a very competitive, in true Onick style, game of volleyball.

I think Sam enjoyed himself, too, even if he got hit with the volleyball and was a little skeptical of Blaine being in his face all the time.

Uncle Wic decided the kids needed to have the experience of making homemade ice cream, like turning the crank and all. They were into it for about 35 seconds,

and then I cranked the rest! But chocolate-y goodness of the finished product was so totally worth it!

After supper and a birthday party for yours truly

(thanks, all!), the kids had a great time with the Pop-Its Walker bought them.

And, of course, the confetti bottles were perfect for the party!

Then the 8 year old gave lessons on how to use an iPad,

while the 13 year old gave Papa lessons on how to use the self-timer on the camera on his phone. They couldn't believe the older generation had actually been alive when there was no television (gasp) and that Joey, Walker, and I had been alive before computers!

We had a great 4th of July! Happy birthday, America, from the Onicks/Beards!