We took a night train to and from Tornio (65 degrees north) where Taneli's family lives. There was a house full of people for Christmas which is different from our normal Christmas of just the three of us. It was nice to have lots of people around...and to have someone else make dinner! :-) We left most of the presents we had received for all of us (read mostly Bella) at the house and just took a few up there. But she had plenty to open on the day. Because there was so much going on and so many people around, I can see that I didn't take many photos at all. I mostly have them from before and after...oops. On our train ride up we were on one of the older trains which meant that there were 3 bunk beds and Bella did great in the middle one since the bottom one didn't have a strap to prevent falling. She had no trouble at all sleeping the whole way.
Bella was able to spend more time than she ever has before with her Finnish grandparents. I think that they were really happy with her Finnish ability since previously her English has been stronger than her Finnish but their English isn't that strong. So they were able to read her stories (as were some of Taneli's sisters) and enjoy spending time with her.
Santa came to visit and give out gifts. I could see that he had visited many houses previously as his outfit was a little tight already and we were lucky he was wearing something underneath! Isabella wasn't scared this year. She even sat on his knee!
On the way home we were on one of the new trains, which in the beginning seems great since these have showers, etc. But in fact, these are shared for the whole car and there are only 2 beds. So Bella and I had to share a bed and as you will see from the photos, the beds aren't really
big enough for an endeavor like that. So we ended up having to be head to toe...but I spent most of my night making sure that I wasn't kicking her in the head (which I never did by the way). I am sure it would be great to have a shower if you were getting off in a city where you don't live but since we were just going home from the train, it was really unnecessary.
Once we arrived home, we set about opening all the presents that we had left behind! With our Christmas tree lights (all nice and blue) we unwrapped more gifts...Bella sure got a lot!
We took two "sleds" or sliding contraptions since these really aren't sleds...and had lots of fun. The hill wasn't too big but big enough for Bella and it was nicely deserted. We all went for a few slides and then we settled in for a nice snow picnic. Some cookies, crackers, and hot chocolate. Lots of fun for everyone...
With her new safety goggles on, Bella was ready to watch our little firework show. It took her a little time to realise what was going on but she sure did have fun when she got it. We went for a little walk down through the little "woods" near our house and Taneli scared her with stories of bears in the woods. I made a snow angel and I convinced Bella to make her first snow angel. Then we headed home and Taneli went back to the house to wait for a friend that was coming over to spend his new year's eve at our place. Bella and I stayed outside and we played in the snow piles and watched other people's little firework shows.
Bella was able to spend more time than she ever has before with her Finnish grandparents. I think that they were really happy with her Finnish ability since previously her English has been stronger than her Finnish but their English isn't that strong. So they were able to read her stories (as were some of Taneli's sisters) and enjoy spending time with her.
Santa came to visit and give out gifts. I could see that he had visited many houses previously as his outfit was a little tight already and we were lucky he was wearing something underneath! Isabella wasn't scared this year. She even sat on his knee!
On the way home we were on one of the new trains, which in the beginning seems great since these have showers, etc. But in fact, these are shared for the whole car and there are only 2 beds. So Bella and I had to share a bed and as you will see from the photos, the beds aren't really 
big enough for an endeavor like that. So we ended up having to be head to toe...but I spent most of my night making sure that I wasn't kicking her in the head (which I never did by the way). I am sure it would be great to have a shower if you were getting off in a city where you don't live but since we were just going home from the train, it was really unnecessary.
Once we arrived home, we set about opening all the presents that we had left behind! With our Christmas tree lights (all nice and blue) we unwrapped more gifts...Bella sure got a lot!
Bella was lucky enough to make it to this event since she had been suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease. Not nice...spots on all those above-mentioned places and a very sore throat and fever. But Bella was at the end of the disease and had been away from daycare for a whole week. On the afternoon of the play Taneli called to tell that them that Bella wouldn't be coming but they said that it was ok and that she could come. So that was nice. She even had a small triangle solo...
