Christmas and Stephen's Wedding!

This year for Christmas I only went home for about 2 days. And I was fiancé-less. So sad. But anyways I went home Sunday right after work and the whole family was there. We did our family exchange and I got some awesome presents from my nephew Logan. Check this out...

Coolest mug ever = one happy/ proud aunt :)

Monday I was brave enough to go to the grocery store. Everywhere I drove by was awful. I've never seen the HEB parking lot so full. But luckily when we went to Walmart it wasn't as bad. And I made it back in just enough time to start cooking. And boy did I cook...

Holycraptheseareamazing cookies! They were pretty good. But I made them too big, and I ran out of chocolate halfway through and the other chocolate we had looked... well like poop. Haha. But I definitely want to try to make them again.

Some delish apple pie! And with cinnamon roll crust. I don't think I'll ever make apple pie without it. Best thing ever!!

And then these babies finished just in time to eat dinner! They turned out great! But I cheated and used the shredded parmesan in a bottle. Gotta do it fresh next time and they'll be perfect! 

As long as I can remember we've always celebrated Christmas on Christmas eve. When we were little my dad used to take us out to look at Christmas lights in the neighborhoods around us. And then by the time we got home Santa had already stopped by and we'd open presents. Now that we're all older, Christmas is at Grandma and Papa's house Christmas eve and then Santa comes to the kid's house in the morning. This year Jenny and Chris were doing things with his family and we had a very eager 5 year old who couldn't step away from the presents so we decided to go look at lights while we waited for them to get there. The neighborhood behind Katy Mills Mall has seriously the coolest lights ever. We were so glad we went!

And then shortly after we made it back, my sister and her husband made it there too and there was one happy little girl who finally got to open presents.

Enjoying some hot chocolate after all the presents

Christmas morning I packed up and headed back to College Station. Lucky me got to work Christmas night :P I worked the next morning too and 4pm that day I was wedding bound... at least mentally. Jacob had to work until Friday so I ended up waiting for him so he didn't have to drive up alone. Which I'm so glad I did. Did I mention how much I missed my fiancé over Christmas!?

So we missed the rehearsal dinner, but we made it there not too long after it. Everyone was on their way back to the hotel or already in bed watching tv, so we decided to go to the hotel rather then hanging out. We stayed in the same hotel from this summer when we were all in San Antonio, but this time, we had a river walk view. I was so excited to have a balcony on the river walk. I mean I only went out there once the whole weekend. But I still thought it was awesome!!

Me=super excited Him=smiling because I made him

hehe :)

I should've taken one in the daylight, but we were hardly even at the hotel.

Saturday was the wedding day!! But it wasn't until that evening. We met up with Jenny, Chris, Michael, Rachel, Missy, Alex, and the twins and ate at The Guenther House Restaurant. It was so good! Then the rest of our family got together and went bowling. After that we grabbed some lunch and headed back to the hotel to get ready. Jacob and I had to stop by Macys at the mall and exchange a shirt. So we walked from one hotel to the mall, then all the way back to our hotel. And this whole time I had been wearing cheap sandals. My feet hurt so bad!! We got ready for the wedding and left at least 45 minutes early to drive maybe a mile to the hotel where the wedding was at. And it just so happen to be the same day as the Alamo bowl. Yeah I think I was inside the hotel at like 5:27, 3 minutes before it was supposed to start. And it's a very good thing it started a little late because I was freaking out that I was going to be late for my brothers wedding. But I made it, and Jacob was able to find a parking spot (tons of traffic and full parking lots because of the football game) and he made it on time too. The wedding was beautiful and we had so a great time. I'm so happy for my brother and new sister inlaw!! I brought my camera (that I haven't used in probably well over a year) and it would't turn on. So I just used my phone for pictures instead. Here's a few of what I got.

Their announcement at the hotel.

Alyssa and I.

And Elizabeth too.

He loves pictures...

The couple's first dance.

A cute little goofball.

Mother-son dance. My sisters and I stepped in on this since my mom is on crutches. So we each got to dance with him.

I tried to get a panorama of the bouquet toss.

My fiancé and I :)

With the bride and groom!

The kids had a great time dancing!!

And a few pictures I took from my sister inlaw of Jacob and I :)

And that was the wedding! I'm so happy for them!

Sunday we packed up and left. On the way home my parents went with Jacob and I back to Dick's Classic Garage Museum. We went this summer and wanted to go again. These pictures are all Jacob's doing, they don't mean much too me. Haha.

I think he just really like this one (especially the color).

Model for me he said. Lol.

This is the same or really similar to the engine in his 1966 car.

And he wanted to show this car to someone.

Then we were back on the road!!

It was a fantastic but very long weekend. I was exhausted!

Oh and we stopped and took a picture by this gem on the way back. It's called Cyndi's Hawg Hangout. Same spelling and all. Hehe. And he was taking too long to get the picture. My enthusiasm was slowing sinking away. 

And that was our crazy beautiful fun filled week!! The end :)

Engaged!!! :)

I am officially engaged and I am so excited. It's still a bit unreal. But there's a ring on my finger, he finally did it. I couldn't be happier to be with him and I can't wait to spend forever with him. I want to post about the engagement not only to remember but of course to share ;) So in order to fully give you an idea I have to start back before this past summer. 

This is going to sound totally weird but the moment we both knew was after watching Men in Black 3 back in May. Yes I know it's crazy but that's just how it happened. We both wanted to get married and we had already been talking about it for a while by then. And it's something I can't really explain but as we were walking back to the car we both at the same time kind of stopped and looked at each other and just knew that it was supposed to be. Crazy and unexplainable but that's just how it was. 

I took these picture because I wanted some physical memory of that night and the feeling.

I was and I am completely in love with Jacob McConnell :)

So we officially started looking at rings back in June. It was on our minds a lot. One night he even drew one on my hand for me. Haha.

I think I have the sweetest fiancé ever. Not to mention the cutest :)

So we started looking at rings in June. And originally we were hoping to be engaged by August and married by December. But things don't always go as planned and it obviously didn't happen that way. But have I mentioned how happy I am!? Even though I feel like I've been waiting so long for this to happen. It's all working out perfectly even if the time frame isn't quite as fast as I had wanted ;) In the beginning of August we went to San Antonio to spend the weekend with my family. And at the end of the trip that's when Jacob asked my Dad for permission to marry me. (Btw I had told him when we first starting looking at rings that there were only 2 things I required... 1. was asking my dad and 2. was a secret photographer to capture it) 

We've always made jokes about getting engaged. And I'm the kind of person who plans up an idea in my head and when it doesn't go exactly as I'd hoped... well I'll be honest I get upset. So when August came around and I knew it wasn't happening I wasn't the happiest camper. And I must admit I'm so grateful that he has put up with me. He is so good to me especially when I don't deserve it.

One night at the beginning of this month he informed me that I was not allowed to look at his phone until the end of the year. And then a few days later he said it's gonna happen sooner than you think. SERIOUSLY!?!! That has been THE most nerve racking thing this whole month. The fact that I could be getting engaged any day or any week was driving me crazy!! And we were getting on each others nerves we it came to the subject.

On Saturday December 15th Jacob had to work until 3. While he was working he gave me his card so I could go get my nails done, something he'd been promising to do for me that he had finally gotten around to. When he got off work he met me at my apartment dressed up and ready to go to the drive-in movie theater. Let me elaborate on that term 'dressed up'. If you know absolutely anything about Jacob, it's that he doesn't dress up, let alone match for that matter! So when he showed up in jeans and a nice polo he stuck out like a sore thumb. And then right before we left he said something even crazier. "Do you want me to shave?" Part of me knew it and was trying to keep cool about the situation. So I said no. I mean Sunday was the next day I might as well let him have his scruff for one more day. And then we were off. He took me to Jamba Juice to get a treat. 

And he was acting weird, but I was being nice about it. He was the one that kept saying things like "you're so cuddly" "you're in such a good mood". We were going to see the Hobbit and since it was still opening weekend we were worried it would be packed. So we got the at 5 right when the gates opened. We started with setting up the car for the perfect movie arrangement. Including most of the blankets in my apartment. Haha.

Getting comfy :)

'

Our view!

Oh and later that night after he proposed he told me the ring was in his pocket THE WHOLE TIME. Yes in all of these pictures it was right there.......

And another funny thing we thought about afterwards was a part in the movie with Bilbo Baggins and Smeagol where they were doing riddles and then Baggins say "what's in my pocket?". It was the ring. Yeah I don't if you'll think it was funny but we did. And even his brother made the reference without even knowing that that is what we watched. Haha.

So anyways we watched the movie and had a great time and then headed back to town. That's when he started acting weird again. Especially when we got close to home. Here's briefly how it went. 

Jacob: Are you hungry?

Me: I guess.

Getting to town and realizing neither of us were that hungry.

Jacob: You want hot chocolate?

Me: Sure! Um, but I think Starbucks is closed already. We can just make it at my place.

He misses the first opportunity to turn into my place and then as we're coming up to the next one he says "let's go dance". So yes we went to a nearby park and danced in the empty parking lot to Jason Mraz's I won't give up. And then he finally took me to my apartment. And now for the next big hint. I mean he's already been weird all night and I was honestly thinking he was gonna ask me after we danced. I'm kind of a neat freak and I don't like leaving things in my car, so as we were getting out of the car I said grab my pillow. And very adamantly might I add he said no I'll get it later. So we walked up to my porch and as I went to unlock the door he stopped me. And there it was. I knew he was finally doing it.   He told me how much he loved me and that he wanted to spend forever with me. He said he knew I'd been waiting and pulled out the ring then he proceeded to get down on his knee and propose. Of course I said yes!! And as we were hugging and kissing he said "and I even had a photographer". I had completely forgotten and I'm so glad he didn't. Our friends Taylor and Emma had been hiding in his Dad's truck parked in front of my apartment taking pictures. It was absolutely perfect!!

We invited them in for hot chocolate and I was still shaking and I couldn't think straight. But I was so happy. And my cheeks seriously hurt the rest of the night because I couldn't stop smiling.

So it's a lot. And I know it's probably a jumbled mess but I hope it makes sense and I hope you enjoyed our engagement story :)

We are SO excited!!

Days Off

This past semester I've taken a break from school and have been working full time. Which means I'm stressed full time. Yay for working at the busiest pharmacy in our district :P So whenever I get a day off I cherish it. Seriously, talk about favorite day of my week. This past week I had Sunday and Monday off. Sunday was spent sleeping in and then going to church. Hearing testimonies and catching up with friends, not to mention break the fast! And since I don't have every Sunday off it meant that much more. And then Monday. I had a big to do list so I didn't sleep in much, but that's okay because if we're being honest I would have slept the whole day if I'd have let myself. Haha. I started with working out. Always a refresher once I get it done, yet always so easy to push off. Then cleaning my apartment. After working 6 days in a row it can get a little out of hand sometimes. And of course my favorite part of any day off, lunch with Jacob :)

Always a goofball, but I wouldn't have him any other way.

Then ran some errands and started dinner! I love love love to cook!! (I got my kitchen aid as a graduation present, best gift ever!!) But after a long day of work standing around the kitchen and cooking is the last thing I want to do. So I don't do it nearly as much as I should or want to. With my day off I was finally able to go to my dinner board on pinterest and try a new recipe. John Wayne casserole. DELISH!!

My picture does not do it justice. It was amazing. And I'll probably be eating for every meal until it's gone.

And last but not least we went to Santa's Wonderland for FHE. It was my first time going. I finally pulled out my phone towards the end. Taylor took some pictures of us and we got a few pictures of the scenery. So not many pictures, but it was definitely a lot of fun!!

:)

Beautiful nativity

And I don't know if Gina will see this but Jacob took the penguin pictures for her!

Well just a little longer enjoying being off then it's back to work with a long night ahead!

Thanks-giving

Just a quick 'thankful' post before I have to start getting ready for work.

To start off, I'm grateful for my family. I never realized how much I would miss them when I moved to College Station. I love them so much and I'm so thankful for the moments I have with them, even if it's just short visits. Like this Thanksgiving when I wasn't even there for 24 hours.

And I most certainly can't wait for Christmas and Stephen's wedding. To have the whole family together and to celebrate his marriage to Caitlin. I'm so excited for him! And I can't wait for her addition to our family! And I've also heard some more distant relatives are planning to attend and I can't wait to be reunited with them.

And on that note I'm grateful for Jacob's family. They have been my family away from home. They are so loving and welcoming and they treat me like their own. I couldn't be more grateful to have them in my life. And I'm so glad we got to make a trip to Oklahoma earlier this month. It was definitely everything that Jacob had told me it would be.

(This is a picture that his brother inlaw took while we were there, I hope he doesn't mind me using it.)

Now pay attention to this next part closely because I probably won't say it again. I'm so grateful for my job at Walgreen's. I really have learned and grown from it.

Lastly I want to express my gratitude towards Jacob. He's silly and goofy and crazy and absolutely wonderful to me. I don't know what I'd do with out him. I don't want to know either. His whole self and any imperfections are absolutely perfect for me and to me. I love him more than I'll ever be able to express.

And that's all for now. I just wanted to make note of some of the ever important things I have to be grateful for.