Skip to main content

Hampton Homecoming 2018


Hampton Homecoming was Matt's birthday and Christmas present all rolled into one. When he first suggested it, I was so confused. We had been discussing our next international vacay, which often happens in October. October is shoulder season, so it's cheaper and less crowded, the weather is fair, and the kids have either a fall break or teacher conferences. Plus, it's after the semester/quarter has started, so it's great time for us to go somewhere. 

Me: OOoo what do you think of Buenos Aires? It's a really long flight, but could be worth it. Or what if we visit friends? We could do Berlin or Okinawa?
Matt: What about Hampton?
Me: Australia? NO thanks, they have super creepy bugs there. Should we do Ireland?
Matt: No, Hampton Virginia. We haven't been back to Homecoming since we were dating.
Me: So...no passport?  

And after a rousing conversation, several hours later the trip was booked! Whew! 





The girls had not experienced their daddy in this environment before. 




Thousands of words expressed in one single hug. This became a theme of our weekend. 

Savannah: Daddy, so...did you only have Black friends?
Me: LOLOLOLOLOL.
Matt: Well, there were three White people I knew of aside from the tennis team. And here is one of them! 











This could have been the best parade the girls have experienced. They didn't mind the cold at all. Though they didn't complain either when I suggested we watch the rest of the parade from the rental car so my phone could charge....






"We are your R As....we are your Resident Assistants...we're your R As!"
This cheer was lit. 





Why does their mascot look like he lives at the gym? 



Random Person who we did not know, but who was not a stranger because here, everyone's family: "Oh, I remember you! You marched in 98, 99, 2000, and 200. You were so good!"




Someone bought some fancy swag!

Blue Thunder. 



Warming up and stretching. I think Matt Smith underestimated how sore he would be in the following days. 


Such. Good. Food. Thanks Virginia. 




The air and space museum was so neat! By the end, the girls were ready to go to Hampton, become scientists, and work for NASA. 





We had great success on the flights. Going to Virginia, the pilot encouraged them to sit in the cockpit for a bit. 
Me: Stop touching buttons.
Them: This is so cool! Look over there! What does this do?
Me: STOP TOUCHING! 
I appreciate the gesture, and this seriously stresses me out :-) 






You know how you hang out with people you haven't seen in years and it's like no time has passed at all? Yup. The only reason you know time has passed is because your kids have grown so much! Here's hoping we make it back for a visit sooner than later. 






Comments

Popular posts from this blog

After you clean your room...

This evening Cassidy revealed to me a small secret to keeping her occupied. After dinner she asked me if she could watch a show. We don't have tv, but we do have netflix through the wii on our tv and we watch all the greatness that PBS and Nickelodian have to offer! Except for Caillou because I think he's kind of whiny. Anyway, she gets to watch limited amounts of Diego, Dora, Dinosaur Train, Super Why, Word World, etc and sometimes we throw in some Cosby Show for good measure. She'll pick two shows and watch one, 20 minute episode of each and then we call it good. Well tonight when she asked for a show, I told her she could watch one episode of her favorite after she cleaned her room. She went into her room and as she started putting toys away, she started playing with them. She'd go to put books away and start "reading" them. Twenty minutes later she'd start putting crayons away, then start drawing with them. Ten minutes later she'd start putting awa...

The Weekends

The weekends have a new meaning to me now.  Saturdays are the perfect day because I get unlimited access to Cassidy. During the week I have to share my time between work, chores, tasks, and more. Sunday we have church and prep time for the week. But Saturday is magical. Saturday is for adventures in the park and incredible views in the mountains you can only reach by foot. Saturdays are for sleeping in or getting up early and making a big breakfast. Saturdays we sometimes stay in our pajamas, and others times we get all dressed up for no reason. On this particular Saturday Cassidy and I met up with some friends at church for the first End of Summer Fair. We had a good time...

New Adventures (Part 3 - The Future)

  Yesterday I wrote an email to my work team (This is Matt):  Hi everyone,   I’m writing to let you all know that June 3 rd   will be my last day at OSPI.   It’s a bittersweet decision: this has been the best job of my 15+ years in education, and you all are a great team to work with. My new role may be even better, though: stay at home dad   😊   My bride and favorite person on the planet Dr. Jeannette Smith accepted a new position at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, so Team Smith is headed East!   Thanks y’all, Matt