Christmas at Helm Headquarters

 We were able to travel to New Mexico for Christmas this year to spend time with Jared's family.

Music is an important part of the Helm Home experience.

Pick an instrument...

 

any instrument...

 and play it with gusto.

There are varying levels of talent in the Helm family. Some greats and some not so great, but no matter, we just want you to join in and have fun.

 The Christmas Eve traditions start in the morning preparing luminario's.

 Then filling them with sand and setting them around the house.

Then the favorite part...lighting the candles when it gets dark. We are lighting the way for Jesus.

 Christmas morning...some look better than others. We are all lined up and ready to see what Santa brought.

 

 We all felt very blessed and grateful for our gifts.

 During the stay at the Helm Home we were often found outside helping Grandad on his shop. He had the materials, he just needed the man (often woman) power to help build it. The weather was chilly but sunny and beautiful most days so it made being outside enjoyable.

 Jared was his right hand man (at times).

 Gage and his cousins were making cactus delicacies for their outdoor restaurant. I didn't think I would be really keen on cactus, but I was pleasantly surprised.

 Living on a mesa makes for some fun hikes and beautiful scenery. That's the Rio Grande river that you can see in the distance. This is just a small walk from Jared's parents home. Awesome!

 

Natalie, Hannah and Andrew

 Bethanie and Melanie

 Sarah and Carly

 Emily and Jenny

 Amy eating the yucca plant and Emily photo bombing.

 

 Grandad reading his new book. I thought he was cute laying there on the floor.

Ice skating is another fun and often painful tradition in the Helm Family.

 

 This is the whole gang watching slides. The grand kids love making fun of their parents. It's always great fun!

 Grandma and Grandad supply the groceries, and Melanie, Emily and Bethanie plan and prepare the yummy feast for New Years day. Jenny and I just do what they tell us to do to help. So good!

 

 

 We got one last hike in. We love taking in the awesome history around this area. You can find caves and pot shards; remains of an ancient people. Cool stuff!

 We stayed long enough that the Helm's felt like they needed to celebrate my birthday. Usually we are gone before that, but not this year. They made me feel special and Grandma made me a yummy and pretty cheesecake.

 We really enjoyed our stay and love spending time with family. Grandma and Grandad always make us feel loved and welcomed and they feed us so well.

When we finally came home from New Mexico and that beautiful sunshine, Jared and Gage had a little party for me. The theme Jared came up with was Red...red cake, decorations, red Applebee's gift card and red love! I was definitely feeling the love. Gage even planned a game because you have to have a game when you celebrate your birthday.