Tying the knot?

Yes, the rumors are true (except for that one about the Pope and me)--I asked Mandi to marry me on February 13th, 2004.   I made her a little ring box on the lathe, and after she figured out what it was (she initially thought it was a kitchen utensil), she tried on the ring (which was so tight she shaved off her knuckle) and to my surprise and delight she accepted!  I didn't even have to plead, beg, or bargain--wow!

Close-up of the ring (click to enlarge)

We gave each other snowshoes for Valentine's Day, and the day after our engagement we took the dogs for a trek on the Skunk Creek.

Mandi with her brand-new skiing goggles (she wore them as we were shopping in Sioux Falls too).

More pics from our day (click to enlarge)

Sonny helping Mandi get up after her failed attempt to ascend the hill and win a "meat bet."  (She later, given anther chance, did climb the hill and was released from the meat bet).

 We later told Grandpa Fullenkamp the news--he was overjoyed (although it seems he may have been tipped off as to our news).  He played Mandi's song for her and reminisced about his marriage with Mary.

As of February 19th, we have no date set.  The wedding will most likely be in the fall of '04, though we are still looking at this spring or spring '05 as options.  We're going house-hunting in Columbia, MO next week, so things should be coming together soon.  I'll update the page as things progress!  And I'll try to let everyone know as soon as we have a date set.