On Sunday night we returned from our ten-day-dream Christmas in Rovaniemi, Finland. Visiting Lapland's Arctic Circle was an idea I first came up with over ten years ago when we were living in Amsterdam. To be able to take our kids with us all these years later was really, honestly, a dream come true. From Brussels to Helsinki to Rovaniemi, we moved up into the north of Finland where there was only about two hours of daylight each day. Covered with snow and light flurries while we visited, we enjoyed all the area had to offer.

The highlight was meeting the "real" Santa in his village with our new friends we met up there from Nantes, France, the Havarts. The kids all had a great time. For our individual family, I think we all agreed that the husky ride through the snow-covered trees and hills, was really amazing. We fell in love with a white husky in particular who reminded us of Mowgli.

Of course, the reindeer ride was cute although a bit too short, and the Christmas Eve mystical walk with the elves to Santa's command center in Kovatunturi was fun but the huskies were awesome...maybe because we are all dog lovers.

We also enjoyed our Santa Sport Hotel with the big spa/pool area, different saunas and indoor play zone. A great choice of hotels away from the city center in the forest. Daddy and I took turns cross country skiing but our main, snowy activity was tobogganing with the kids. We even hiked through the forest and made a fire to warm up. On Christmas night, we rented a Havuuka with our French friends and had a gourmet dinner prepared by Fred. The trip was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I am so happy and grateful we went for it!