Hornes Invade the Eastern Caribbean

After two days at sea, we made it to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
We spent the day at the Hyatt Ziva. It was magical.

It was hard to choose between the pool or the beach.
So we played in both.
Daniel was new to snorkeling and this was a great place to figure it out. He mastered it pretty quickly and had a great time.

A trip to Jamaica would not be complete without jerk chicken (and pork). Hyatt's did not disappoint.

The next day brought us to Grand Cayman.
We were up and out early to meet our excursion

First stop: Snorkeling on a reef.

And then....the sun came back out just as we got to the famous sandbar to swim with the stingrays.

The kids (and adults!) got used to it after a minute. The rays are super-friendly, and used to people, because people means food.

Though the are the size of small tables...they are gentle and fun to play around with once you get over the initial shock.

Daniel was always on guard, but had a great time.

Daniel living his best life.

Dave, too.

The last pitstop on the cruise was Cozumel, Mexico.

We enjoyed some yummy guacamole, burritos and for the adults, cervezas and margaritas, while in town.

Back on the boat, there was another day at sea to enjoy.

Dave and Daniel tackled the ropes course, a very unique thing to do at sea.

This is about the time Dave began to wonder just what he'd gotten himself into.

Daniel was a pro by round two.

It was a great trip with the extended Horne clan. We even managed to corral everyone for a photo opp. Miracles do happen.

But alas, the cruise came to an end. We made our way from Galveston back to Houston to fly home and get our "land legs" back.

Hornes on the Gulf of Mexico

Summer kicked off with a bang...
Kacy and I headed to San Antonio to visit one of my very favorite teachers, who I still keep in touch with.
Kacy now can check the Alamo and River Walk off her bucket list.

 We then roadtripped it east to meet up with the rest of the family. A stop at Buc-ee's was apparently a must do. Verdict: A really large Wawa combined with a small Bass Pro Shops. And a TON of people.

 Finally, four hours later, we made it to the beaches of Galveston Island.

 And found Daniel.

 Doing what they do best: the beach.

 Sunday we boarded the Carnival Breeze for an extended Horne family reunion.

 The water park was super fun.

 We even got fancy for formal night.

And there were boat drinks. I mean, we had two whole days at sea.

In the next episode: We make landfall, and fun ensues.

Catch Up....Slacker Edition June 2018

So......

Slacking.

Very sorry.

Recap of well, the past six months, in photographs.

 The Vander Sluises came for Thanksgiving from Cleveland, as did Aunt Mary from NYC and the newly-transplanted Floridians, Grandma and Grandpa.

 Sadie was very excited for pie. Rightly so.

 Mary dined with tiny forks...for reasons still unknown.

 Then it got cold. Because, winter.

 Then Libby turned 40.

 Sunshine, family and Christmas cheer awaited us for the Christmas break.

 We had no fun at the Reunion Resort.

 Met up with mom and dad (along with those VanderSluises) in Weston for Christmas.

 Made a day trip west to check in on Grandma and Grandpa in Cape Coral.

 Dad living his best life.

 Back on the east coast, we ventured up to Cocoa Beach to visit with the Shakes and hit the surf.
All in all, a LOT of miles driven around Florida. Fun level: High.

 Because they missed Florida so much, the kids embarked on their first solo airplane ride, to spend a long weekend with Grandma and Grandpa.

 While they were there, mom and dad went to Las Vegas to help Boots ring in #70.

 And then...Kacy became #braceface, just like her friend John.

 A weekend trip up to NYC was the order of the day in March.

 A Horne family wedding in North Carolina got us together again with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Mary.

 We hit opening day at Camden Yards....spring finally returned!

 Easter in Williamsburg.

 Dave celebrated #41 with our Stamford friends. Yankees vs O's at the new Yankee Stadium.

 Dave and I got fancy and hit a fundraiser that coincided with the Kentucky Derby.

 Daniel made his first communion.

 Mom made a new friend in Orlando.

 And we welcomed baby Sarah Horne into to the family....the newest Horne cousin. For those keeping count: seven Horne grandkids.

 Yeah for the unofficial start to summer: Opening Weekend at BYC!

 Cue the tears and the cheers: Kacy graduated fifth grade. Middle school awaits. But first: Summer!

Can you believe it? The day she started pre-K 3 in August 2010 on the left; yesterday on the right.