Jaded Girlie

I was able to go home for about two weeks for Christmas and New Year's. It was sooo nice to be at home and spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. My sister Ginette who lives in Florida was able to come up for a week with her husband, Ken, and dog, Spike. It was such a wonderful time, and I am so blessed. We all are blessed, because of the greatest gift ever given… Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins. I hope that you kept Christ in CHRISTmas.

My Favorite Christmas Gift

Ryan's Favorite Christmas Gift ;-)

I got home Wednesday night, and hung out with Ryan. We got up early and went shopping in Johnstown all day Thursday. I made it home just in time to be there when Brooke, who did not know Ginette was coming, was surprised by Spike. At first, she thought she got a puppy that looked like Spike, and then she realized Ginette and Ken were home. Friday night, we went out to Chris and Shannon’s for poker. I don’t play, but I got to hold Camryn all night (while continuously moving, because the child does not like to stay still).

Santa Spike

A surprised Brooke

Ginette and Spike

Poker Night

Me and Camryn and Poker Night

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve, we had dinner at my house and exchanged gifts. It was so nice to have us three sisters together again at Christmas. After we were done opening gifts, Ryan and I went out to his house for their Christmas Eve celebration. It was a wonderful evening with the fam. After everyone left, Ryan and I exchanged gifts. He got me a beautiful diamond cross pendant (among other things). He was a good shopper!

Christmas Tree light up

Us Girls

Ryan and Me

Christmas Eve Dinner At My House

Ken

Spike Opening Gifts

Dad Opening Gifts

Christmas Eve out at Ryans

Hannah, Hayden, and Me

Hannah and Hayden opening gifts

Ryan and Hayden

Of course... the boys playing Halo

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Morning we always go watch Brooke open her gifts first. After that, we went back to the house and opened our gifts!!! Then off to church we went. After church, I went to Ryan’s family Christmas dinner. Mmmm.. such good food and company. After that, Ryan and I went to my house and had supper, and then went to Church for the singspiration. Following church, we went to Alison’s house to hang out a bit with the family, and we watched Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Christmas Tree

Christmas Morning at Alisons

Mom and Dad opening gifts

The Present Terror Spike

Brooke with her Roethlisberger Jersey

Brooke with her Ward Jersey

Mom, Dad, Spike, and Ken

Ken's Truck

Christmas Morning at my house

The pretty decorations

My dad and me

Rubert and me

Rubert and Ryan

Christmas Dinner

Camryn and Shannon

Ryan and Me

Allen getting fresh with Linda

Allen kissing Linda

Kelsi holding Camryn

The boys napping

Linda and Shannon

Linda and Camryn

Ryan and Camryn

Mom Singing

Brooke Singing

Alison Singing

Sherrie, Mom, and Me singing

Brooke with her ski stuff on

Alison and Brooke in their ski helmets

Post Christmas Activities

The day after Christmas, we went shopping ALL day. It was fun, but tiring. I got more stuff that I didn’t really need. We ate brunch at King’s, where Brooke got an awesome “Frownie” mask! The next day, Ryan and I went fishing for a little while, then I went with Linda to watch him coach wrestling. I also got to watch two of my cousins, Matt and Corey Aungst, wrestle. On Wednesday, two of the boys’ friends from UPJ came to visit (Brian and Scotty). We went to Laurie and Todd’s that night to finish up the Christmas leftovers. It was another great night of good food and great company. We then went to the movies to see “The Ringer.” It was a funny movie with a good message, and Johnny Knoxville is hilarious.

Brooke is excited about shopping

Alison and I shopping

Brooke disguised as a "Frownie" and Ginette

Ryan Fishing

So Pretty

Ryan And Brandon Coaching

Ryan getting into it

Corey wrestling

Matt wrestling

The boys

Ryan and Me

Allen and Camryn

Me and Camryn

Me and Hayden

Eating the leftovers

The boys at the movies

Game Night
Thursday night, we had game night at my house, which was not surprisingly filled with laughter. First we played Balderdash, then things got really interesting when we broke out “Guestures.” The teams were the males against the females. Of course the females came out on top, but the boys put up a valiant effort. I couldn’t believe how much they got into it. And, I was pleasantly surprised by their acting ability, especially of my man’s! Things got a little out of hand a few times when shirts came off and my dad got frisked… hehe, but it was awesome! We then ended the night with some catch phrase. After everyone else left, Cyndi, Christi, Jenna, and I did our ornament exchange. I got such cute ones… thanks girls!

Adam

Alison... not quite sure what that is..

Alison.... Opera singer???

Brandon... Choking??

Brian

Brooke... frightened??

Brooke

Christi and Cyndi

Christi

Christi, Cyndi, and Jenna

Cliff and Jess

Cyndi... surprised???

Dad and Brooke

Jenna

Jenna

Me

Mom... 9??

Mom

Ryan... haha

They got so involved... shirts came off

Something was funny

Me and Ryan concentrating

Ryan, Scotty, and Adam

Scotty... playing a trumpet??

The boys

Earlier Thrusday, my parents, my sisters, Brooke, and me all went to lunch, since it was Ginette’s last day home. It was nice just being the five of us again (plus Brooke). I miss them all!

Ginette and Brooke

Mom and Dad

Ginette, Alison, and Me

Friday, we just hung out, and Ryan decided to do some cleaning… haha. Mmmm, but he looks good doing it! Then, Ryan and I went to Altoona to do a little shopping and to go to “Lights on the Lake” at Lakemont. It was a wonderful evening.

Ryan Cleaning

Lights on the Lake

Santa and the reindeer pumping iron

Me at the lights

Ryan at the lights

So pretty...

Awesome trees

I love Christmas and Christmas decorations

This past weekend was full of fun and festive events. After the five and a half hour drive home through lovely weather, I finally made it home Friday and went to see my love. Saturday after getting my hair done, I got to attend Brooke's basketball game. It is so cute to watch them play! Then I wrapped some gifts and got ready for the annual Helsel Christmas party. It was so good to see everyone again....

Ryan and Me

Alison and Troy

Ryan and Me

Dad, Sarah, and Mom

Christina and Brendan

Mike and Pam

Sarah and Brooke

Sarah and Me

The Kids and Me

My dad being tackled by the kids

Ryan

Ryan's abstract picture taking

Troy's abstract picture taking

Santa came to visit!

The kids anxiously await their gift...

Ryan got to sit on Santa's lap!

....so did I

Brooke's Basketball Game

Brooke after a layup

Referee Jess

Brooke dribbling toward the basket

Sunday after Church, we went fishing in the freezing cold. I got to use my Christmas present a little early (my chest waders... boy don't they make me look hot!?!?). Adam and I did not fair quite as well as Ryan. He pulled out a big brownie around 17 inches. It was a really nice fish and made the trip well worth while.

Me and Ryan Fishing

Ryan And Adam Fishing

Adam's Catch

Ryan Fishing

Ryan's Catch!!!

The Big Brownie

Sunday night, we all went to the Christmas program at my church. Brooke had a solo and did an excellent job. My mom was a co-director of the program and she did an magnificent job also. It was very cute and got the message across. I miss being a kid and taking part in the programs.