Day trip to Lapland

In December we decided to do the most amazing day trip we had ever done. We had booked to visit the real Father Christmas in Lapland. Our flight was scheduled to leave Gatwick at 7am, so we had a very early start but for once we didn't mind getting up early. Ashley (my husband), Daniel (our 6 year old son) and Maggie (our 4 year old daughter) headed to the airport accompanied by my sister, who just couldn't resist joining us! Before breakfast we had taken off and the plane was full of excitement as we spent the next 3 1/2 hours doing colouring competitions, singing Christmas songs and looking out of the window for Father Christmas and his reindeers! By the time me landed in Enontekio (finland) everyone was wide awake and raring to go. Once we arrived we were taken by coach to be kitted out in snowsuit & boots. We then continued our journey through the snowy landscape before arriving at the small village where we would spend the day. Here we had the opportunity to have husky sled journeys, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobile trips, go sledging and of course lots of snow ball fights! Lunch was included which we had in a log cabin with a roaring fire, there was also a cabin where you could get hot drinks and warm up when necessary. Finally the part of the day arrived that we had all been waiting for, our turn to see Father Christmas. The five of us were taken on a sledge pulled by a snowmobile deep into the dark forest. After a few minute we spotted the twinkling lights of Father Christmas's log cabin. When we pulled up his elf greeted Daniel & Maggie and told them Father Christmas had been expecting them. Once inside they sat next to Father Christmas and he asked them about school, Daniel's recent birthday and he told them he knew what they wanted for Christmas. He gave them a present and reminded them to keep on being good. As we left the elf whispered in Daniel's ear to give Tootsie (our dog) a stroke from them and to tell her they would look forward to seeing her on Christmas Eve. This was the first time I have ever seen my children speechless!!! We then headed back to the airport for our flight home. The return journey was a lot quieter than the outward one! This really was a once in a lifetime trip and something we will all remember forever.