Binge Blog #4: Rovaniemi, Day 1

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland in northern Finland, and is the official home to the REAL Santa Clause.  Yeah, you read that correctly.  During our ski week vacation at the end of February, our family made the 9 hour trek north, along with our fellow Fulbrighter friend, Tiffany.  She is now lovingly referred as "Aunt Tiffany."  The girls pretty much consider her family at this point, despite Lydia's hilarious question of, "Mom, where did you find her?"  We love you, Tiffany!

This trip was possibly the most adventures week of my entire life.  I'm gonna let the pictures do the talking.

The blue dot is our home in Jyväskylä.  The red dot is Rovaniemi.

Heading to Rovaniemi.

Our first stop when we got into town was Snowman World.  It was pretty amazing, but also a little like the "Wisconsin Dells of Lapland," as Jerod put it.  The girls LOVED it!

First we walked around the Ice Hotel, where we played on the ice slide, saw beautiful ice and snow sculptures, peeked in the rooms, and collectively decided we were glad we weren't spending the night there. 

Family Picture!

Next we headed outside for some "Lappish Games."  We went on a crazy ice slide, played in the snow, and took turns pushing each other on one of the fun "circle sleds."  I still haven't figured out their real name.  Jerod calls them "swizzle sticks," I think we'll go with that.  

Tiffany at the top of the ice slide.  She survived...barely.

Here's a video of us on the smaller slide.

Remember that scene in Frozen where Anna tries to climb the mountain?  

And finally, the moment we'd all been waiting for....meeting Santa!!!!!!

This is actually a contraband picture...and I love it!  It is such a reflection 

our girls and their respective personalities.  

Lydia - right up there in Santa's face and Ruthie shy, but still so happy to be there.

I know you can't see their faces in this pic, but I think I like it even more than the one we paid 30 Euro for.

Said 30 Euro picture.  

And finally, we crossed the arctic circle line.  

Jerod: Before the arctic circle.

Jerod: After the arctic circle.

I think the Wisconsin Dells of Lapland was pretty darn magical, especially for the girls.  Touristy?  Yes.  But who would have ever guessed our family would be in the arctic circle?  Not me.  Definitely an experience of a lifetime.  And we didn't know on this day, but the best of our Lappish trip was yet to come!