The Best Christmas EVER!!!

For the first time in two years, me and all eight of my siblings were home for Christmas.

Plus, my fiance, my nephew, and my sister's boyfriend were all here, too!

This led to lots of goofy antics and LOTS of pictures. It was very hard to pick my favorites.

With everyone home, it definitely was apparent how much everyone is growing up. At times it was strange to see the changes that are coming to my family. But, that did not change how close we were. And, as far as my sisters and I are concerned, we will always be Daddy's little girls.

I'm Taken!!! :]

So, for those of my friends who only see me on Blogger and not on Facebook, I'm ENGAGED!!! Devin proposed to me Wednesday afternoon. We had spent the day in Helen, GA browsing the shops and eating good German food.

Then, we went to see the Anna Ruby Falls before heading back home, which are absolutely beautiful. The park was getting very close to closing, so we were the last people the ranger let hike up the mountain. As a result, we were the only ones at the Falls when we got up there.

I was somewhat oblivious to what was about to happen, so I was concerned about making sure we got a picture in front of the Falls before having to get back down the mountain before the park closed. Can you tell how nervous Devin is in this picture?

There, he surprised me with a bucket with little notes, flowers, and flipflops. He also lit a couple candles. The notes were thoughts he had all throughout the six months we were dating that he'd wanted to share but weren't appropriate at the time. After having me read the notes, he got down on one knee and proposed! I said yes, of course! :]

And, Devin custom designed the ring himself. Without ever even asking me, he made the exact ring I'd always wanted!

Since then, everyone has wanted to know wedding details. About as far as we've gotten is Devin trying to persuade me that our registries should be at Best Buy and Toys R Us. (Don't worry...that won't happen.) To be honest, we haven't even had time to discuss it. Today, Devin graduated and is now a real Astrophysicist who is in the process of getting into medical school. Tomorrow we are headed to PA to spend Christmas with my family. But, once we know any details, I will be sure that everyone knows! :]

Holiday Baking

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Season is my holiday baking. This past Thursday, I kicked it off with my mentee Kadeeja.

We ended up with a whole plate of yummy sugar cookies!

On Sunday, I did a whole bunch more. And, I got a chance to use my new candy thermomoter!

The whole purpose of my baking was to give out goodies to my co-workers and other people I care about. :]

The final result was pecan brittle, chocolate fudge, peanut butter chocolate fudge, chocolate chip cookies, and white chocolate chip holiday cookies!!!

In the Doghouse...

Devin says he keeps waiting for the day when he messes up, and I "put him in the doghouse." This Sunday, he decided to do it to himself as a preemptive measure...I just never knew there was a doghouse under my desk!

Christmas Shopping!!!

The countdown to Christmas is on...only 16 days away! And, I'm leaving for home in just 10 days! So, while trying to finish up finals, work on my GA commitments, work at St. Mary's, and get ready, I fave been very absorbed in Christmas shopping. Amazon.com has gotten a lot of my attention this year. Today included browsing a few stores and a Walmart run for baking supplies, goody boxes, wrapping paper, and ribbon. I've been very good at being selective this year in what I buy. At this point, thank goodness, I'm almost done with just a couple presents left to go! Whew!