Christmas in Dalarna

Sunday, 25^th December

The drive here was easy, we swapped plenty of times and took our time. Ben is staying in the bed with me, with some help of restraints. To keep him in bed, and because we like it.

The dog, he is called Dog, was pleased to see Ben, and is not leaving him. Ben is very happy. It had snowed here, and Ben, the kids and Dog are having fun in the snow. I enjoy warming him up when he comes in, through my body warmth. My aunt is managing well with the help of her medication.

It was so nice spending Christmas with the family, it is not such a religious event, more the traditions. Of course Ben has never experienced this, and being part of this family makes him very happy. In America Thanksgiving is the big family day, Christmas got celebrated in his family, as good Catholics, but they do not have these traditions.

Ben and I did not have presents for each other, and we had requested that we do not get anything from the adults. We had bought something for the adults, and of course the children.

Tuesday, 27^th December

We are going home tomorrow, it will be nice to be back in our own space. We have travelled so much this year!

The whole family went dog sledging today, there is a place 45 minutes drive away. The kids were super excited. Of course the family had asked about our trip to Canada and it had come up.

Ben was allowed to steer the sledge, he gets so exhilarated by it. Shame he gets so cold through and through. Luckily they had a hot tub there.

Still, when we came home, Ben and I went to bed and he snuggled up to me to warm up. My aunt said it took her a while to explain to the children why we went to bed during the day when we were not ill.

Thursday, 29^th December

So we are back at the house, it is good to be back here. Of course Ben was sad to leave Dog. It will be good not to have to put on a show for the children. We once slipped and my aunt was very annoyed, I think the children did not pick up on it. It was only the way we talked to each other.

It was a long journey yesterday, it was bad to drive. Ben felt a bit down, he did get too cold on the sledge, but he is better today. There are no classes, but we can go to the gym.