An Engaging Tale

Several months ago I went with Jake & Tiffany to meet their jeweler & to look at engagement rings. It didn't take long to find that perfect one. I left so excited! I couldn't wait to tell Jacob all about the experience & the ring. A few weeks later he & I went back. Thankfully, he loved the ring as much as I did!

I had no idea how long it would take before Jacob was actually able to buy the ring, but I had hoped that it wouldn't be long since he encouraged me to look. Not one for subtleties, I told him how much it would mean to me if he were able to have the ring when we went to Seattle so his dad could see it...but when he continuously left me alone in the room with our luggage I began to think he hadn't listened.

Also, I may have mentioned to Jacob how great it would be if he would propose before our friends (the Handkes) left from their vacation visiting us. But when our double date night with them came & was cancelled, then came & went I began again to think he hadn't listened...again.

So it was just another beautiful day in Southern California. We decided to take the Handkes to Manhattan Beach. I thought it would be great for Kenzie because the water is pretty shallow for a long ways. Apparently Jacob had different plans. We had a picnic lunch & then buried Kenzie in the sand (umpteen times - seriously, what kids likes to be buried in the sand like that?!). After a little while, the Handkes said they were going to get up to go look for shells & rocks so Jacob & I walked up to the water...

Jacob wanted to include Kenzie in the proposal (you can see her in the second picture) so she brought up the ring box & was supposed to say something along the lines of  "I found a rock for you" or "I found this for you" but trust an almost 3 year old to steal the scene. Instead, she handed me the box & said "This is for you. Open it! Open it!" She's too cute. So then Jacob got on one knee, said some amazingly sweet things (that I had to ask him to repeat later that night...I had been too excited & forgot it all...please tell me I'm not the only one to have done that), & asked me to marry him. And as you know, I said yes. Of course I said yes. And he'll be quick to add that he had to ask me more than once to get the yes because apparently I just told him that he didn't even have to ask. :)

I turned around & saw that not only the Handkes had been taking pictures but Jake & Tiffany were there, too. They also brought champagne ('Macaron' champagne because they know how much we love macarons) for us all!

After leaving the beach we had dinner in Manhattan Beach with Tiffany & Jake. We had a great meal, another bottle of champagne, & some wonderful dessert (a congratulatory present from our waitress).

We aren't exactly sure about any wedding details yet...other than the fact that he & I will be there! Right now we're just enjoying being engaged. But stay tuned for more in the lives of the future Mr. & Mrs. Jensen.

In the past 31 days...

So...lots going on this past month! Let me think...

There was the trip to Seattle.

And Jake & Tiffany's wedding.

Searching for sand dollars in the magically disappearing lake...and being chased by crabs!

Surviving the Camp Pendleton Mud Run.

Friends visiting!

Meeting Mickey (& Pluto & Cruella Deville & the Fairy Godmother & Tinkerbelle & Goofy & Minnie & the list goes on).

Oh, right! And Jacob proposed!

Of course I said yes!

(Check back in a few days for the story & more pics.)

I Run

I run now. I, Katie Morris, run. I am a runner.

Who would have ever guessed that I would say that? Did you hear that, Coach Dave? You can tell me to run around Wilson Park all you want, & for once I won't start walking when you turn your back!

It all started with our signing up for the Camp Pendleton Mud Run. The race is a grueling 10k course with mud pits, tire obstacles, walls to climb over, & even some swimming. Did I mention it's uphill both ways? Sounds like fun, right? Yeah, that's what we thought! Oh, wait, did you say no? Well we may be changing our minds.

To prepare for the Mud Run (& keep myself from looking like a fool or dying) I started running in January. It went well for several weeks. I was dutifully following my program. After a workout, I felt energized & excited. But then I hit a wall. I couldn't quite get past the 5 minute mark. But lucky for me, I have a wonderful friend who popped in at the right time & invited me to join a 10k with her & her coworkers.

The 10k was for SheRunsLA. And was 80's themed! I don't know what it is with Tiffany...but it seems like I am always having to tease my hair for that girl. Everyone was in costume. I don't know how some girls ran in their leather skirts, spandex pants, bangles, etc. This was my first race & it blew me away how upbeat & encouraging everyone was.

It was a beautiful day for a race. We finished in under one hour fifteen minutes. We walked for less than half a mile & only after running the first four! Not bad!

Jacob & Jake were there at the end to cheer us on. We're lucky to have such great guys. Jacob even sported a bit of neon to fit in with the crowd.

The race ended on the Paramount Studios back lot.

So now I've gotten Jacob to start running with me after work. He needs to get in shape for the mud run, too! And this is where we run. How's that for a view?

Hump Day Haiku

I know I have been a little MIA lately & I am so sorry! It will get better...I promise. To start...a little bit of poetry written by yours truly.

Ode to my Granola

Oh my granola.
Oh how I love to hol' ya'
in my breakfast spoon.

Happy 24th Birthday

Jacob's birthday was this Wednesday. It was difficult to celebrate much as it was a busy work week for both of us. We did take a mid-day break from craziness to go out for lunch though. While everyone at work wished him a happy birthday, as did friends on Facebook, family texts, and phone calls...I think this was his favorite.

And just so you don't worry, I get plenty of love from Kenzie, too.

Lunch Break

I have been chatting with Mother Nature lately. See, in moving out here, I expected to escape the awful Kansas winters. And so what happens my first winter away? Kansas doesn't have a winter! So I have been considering asking for a refund.

But Mother Nature, you saucey vixen you, you finally gave Kansas a taste of winter. So while my mom spent her lunch doing this:

I spent mine here:

Jacob & I are trying to bring our lunches to work with us while still being able to get out of the office for the hour. Today we spent our lunch hour here. And we saw dolphins! Thank you, Mother Nature.

Motivation to get on the StairMaster...

Ladies, do you ever feel like others are judging your ass? Never as much as these guys...

Bird's Eye View

The zoo has an aerial tram that you can ride to get from one side of the zoo to the other. It's amazing to see the zoo from above!

This picture is of one of the four aviaries.

In the zoo, you forget that the zoo is in the middle of downtown San Diego.

Even while the tram car shook a bit, we were all smiles!

Monkeying Around...

Haha..super punny, right?

The SD Zoo had SO many monkeys! Primates? Is that more politically correct? Either way...there were a lot!

The gorillas were our first stop. While we were checking out this troop, a zoo keeper came out to talk about all of the gorillas at the zoo. We heard about the three troops and learned a little about each member...the silverback, the surrogate mother, the babies. That made this exhibit extra special.

This guy was one of the younger sons of the male in the troop. Pretty playful guy.

Here is the troop's silverback. Definitely wouldn't want to get on this guy's bad side!

And here are a couple more pictures of the zoo's many many primates.

This little guy was quite the ham. As we walked up to his area he let out a little cry and came running towards the fence. He spent a bit of time watching us and then started showing off by jumping on the vines and screeching.

They were all super cute and Jacob and I tossed around the idea of bringing one home...but then we remembered that with the exception of the gorillas, they were all smaller than our cats...and our cats can attack!

Playing Hookie

Jacob & I had Friday off from work so we took the opportunity to cross something off my bucket list. Visiting the San Diego Zoo! We felt like we were playing hookie the whole day...it was great!

We took a lot of pictures, so I'll try to post some in the next few days.

Oh My Darlin' Clementine...

We are lucky enough to have a wonderful, year-round Farmer's Market nearby. Walking through the stands, tasting free samples, and buying fresh produce for the week is part of our typical Sunday routine...when are aren't too terribly lazy.

These clementines are our newest addiction. Jacob will come home from work and eat four of them in the first half hour of being home!

Happy 2012

A new year has begun! (which means I now have to get used to naming all of my work files '12...wish me luck)

The past year was full of some huge changes & opportunities & challenges for us. Seaton had surgery. I had sewing weekends with two of my best girls. We traveled to Florida for another best friend's wedding. Warren (my perfect 'nephew') was born. Jacob graduated. I left my job. We packed up our things & cats & said goodbye to Manhattan. We drove half way across the country to take a shot at a life in California. I met more of Jacob's wonderful family. He started a new job. My grandpa had a stroke. I started a new job...working four feet away from Jacob. We made some new friends. We saw the Dodgers & LA Kings play. We spent holidays at the beach. We missed the family & friends we left.

In all, 2011 was a great year. I hope that while 2012 continues to surprise, challenge, & reward us, we are able to smile at the end of the day & be thankful for everything we have. I hope that we continue to take advantage of all that this new life has to offer us...starting with going to the Rose Bowl! Look for us...45 yard line...4th row!

Happy New Year!