Good Times in the Outer Banks: Horne Family Reunion 2015

It was a fun week at the beach last week, for the Horne clan. The entire Horne clan. Some 40+ Hornes on one strip of land in North Carolina.

During our drive down to the Outer Banks, we made a pit stop at the home of Grave Digger. Daniel is just a bit of a monster truck fan. So he was pretty excited.

We made it safe and sound (and in decent time) to Kitty Hawk. It was quickly apparent that the house we were sharing with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Mary, Uncle Matt, Aunt Alyssa, Caleb, Katrina, Henry and their nana Elaine, was going to be just fine. And the pool in the backyard would be ground zero.

We closed out night one with a visit to the beach.

Morning two involved swimming in the Atlantic, with no sharks to be seen. The water was icy cold so the kids were the only brave souls to dive in.

Sunday night we gathered (in sultry heat) for a family photo.

We even got our "segment" to cooperate for a photo.

Monday we hit Jockey's Ridge for some kite flying and sand dune running.

Good times on the sunset deck at our house.

The boys took a fishing trip one day so Grandma and Nana braved putt putt and the aquarium with all five grandkids.

The boys earned their keep, with nearly 260 lbs of tuna caught. Dinner for days. Weeks actually.

The week was fun but exhausting. Great times and great memories with great people!

Rolling Into Summer....

So we have some catching up to do. Almost a month's worth.
Apparently, summer is in full swing.

Dave and I did the Warrior Dash in mid-May. It was my first time, his second. Weather was good and as advertised, there was plenty of mud.

We made it to the finish line, a little worse for the wear.

And then just like that, after the winter that seemed as though it would never end....it was Memorial Day weekend, heralding the (unofficial) start to summer. It also meant Opening Weekend at BYC.
Grandma and Grandpa were the ringleaders of the festivities this year so fittingly, it was non-stop action from Friday through Monday.
Saturday offered the "Happening on the Hill" which was chock full of things to do, including a dunk tank. The weather was gorgeous but a bit chilly for swimming. So Kacy gets major points for offering to take a turn in the tank.

 Daniel and Grandma enjoyed taking a turn.

Down she goes.

Daniel was pretty proud of himself for dunking Sissy.

Face painting as a hit as well.

The kids and dad held their own fishing derby on Sunday. Everyone caught fish so it was a good day.

Kacy started tae kwon do a few weeks ago and so far is really liking it. She tested for her next belt (white with yellow stripe) on Saturday. She was nervous but proud when she passed. She even got to break a board.

Saturday it was time to celebrate our friend Shelley's birthday. She may or may not be turning 40 tomorrow.

Good times with good friends....and great weather for a bus ride over to Kent Island.

So now that we've made it to yesterday....
We celebrated Grandpa's 65th birthday (which is today) at Liberatore's. Aunt Mary even managed to sneak in to town for dinner from NYC.

It was as fun night with cousins.

Daniel enjoyed his spaghetti, and showed off his penmanship skills. Clearly he is ready for kindergarten.

The whole Horne clan. We'll gather again in the Outer Banks in less than two weeks.

So that's the latest. Stay tuned as summer progresses. Our suitcases are about to get major air and road miles.