Carlson Corner: Smith Mountain Lake

We went to Smith Mountain Lake over Labor Day weekend with the Ratzlaff family. It was Jesper's first vacation. Despite a couple missed naps, he did great! We were concerned about the plane rides, but Jesper was a happy, easy traveler 90% of the time. Unfortunately, he's also trying out his vocal chords, so his happiness translated into playful screeching for part of the plane trips and dirty looks from other passengers. How do you tell other people on the plane that the banshee noises coming from your child are actually because he's super happy? :)

We flew into DC on Wednesday night and hung out with Paul and Jodi. We got to see their house for the first time since they had been back from Europe. I realized it had been 8 years since I had been to DC. Wow, time flies! On Thursday morning, we packed up the car (I'm still not sure how we fit everything in!) and headed to Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston, Virginia for a weekend with our parents, John and Stacie and their family, and my Uncle Reese and Aunt Rose from Iowa.

We completely enjoyed the weekend. We are Minnesota lake snobs and still thought the lake was incredible - clean, deep, warm and not crowded at all. We also got to meet John and Stacie's new baby girl for the first time. Ariana is adorable and it was so fun to give her a cuddle. Elise, their four-year-old daughter, also looks so much older than the last time I saw her - she's really become a smart, beautiful little girl. And, of course, it's always fun to see the grandparents and share Jesper with them. The only thing that would have made it better is if Curtis had been able to join us.

Here are a few pictures and videos from the weekend. We're already looking forward to heading back there sometime soon!!