San Ho-say

That's how I pronounce it anyway. I keep seeing signs around town featuring lyrics from the song "Do you know the way to San Jose." Well maybe I would if there was about seven less highways running through this place. Besides getting lost and turned around everyday, I am enjoying this metropolis. Some random facts about S.J. for you.

-10th most populous city in America, which explains all the highways.

-Also known as Silicon Valley, which I used to think was directly related to the amount of breast augmentations, but it's for technology silly! Due to the fact that Apple, Google, Facebook etc. have their headquarters here. Nerds congregate together I guess.

-Cost of living is one of the highest in the nation $$$ My least favorite aspect about San Jose..

The weather has been beautiful almost everyday and one of my favorite things to do is eat lunch or dinner outside enjoying the California breeze and sunshine. I love having food that wasn't prepared in a chain restaurant, except for the occasional Chipotle run, and the close proximity to San Francisco, Sacramento and beach areas like Santa Cruz. The only downside to our summer here is the extended stay hotel we live in. Our first night here there was a trail of spicy hot cheetos in the hallway and our bed was FILLED with hairs. Jason swears there is a strong smell of urine near the bed and we obviously have to walk around with our shoes on. It's not home but I feel like we will be able to look back and laugh at this living situation one day. Jason is throughly enjoying projects at Ernst and Young for accounts like Facebook and is an intern in the international tax office. I have been working at the local Nordstrom for the anniversary sale and finally feel accustomed to having so many customers in one day, compared to the non-existent traffic of the Orem Nordstrom. We are happy and excited for our future here, sans a hair filled bed and urine smell.

Post Grad

Well it's only taken me two months since I've walked across the graduation stage to write a post about it. I was so blessed and truly lucky to have attended BYU. It not only gave me what I consider the best education available, but a spouse to boot.

Celebratory jumping photo! It was only appropriate.

Shaking hands with the deans of the Family life college. Thank you and goodbye.

BYU also gave me one of my best friends! We started this whole shin-dig together the first day of freshman orientation and finished at graduation. How we passed our classes freshman year with all the crazy things we did still remains a mystery...

Finishing my degree made possible by the following people...Heidi Ann, my foxy Florida soulmate and BBF4E. I am so glad she decided to move out to Utah and keep me company and sane these past four years.

My Dad and Vicki. I am grateful for the examples they have been to me throughout my life and for raising nine crazy kids.

This second set of parents of mine, who are nothing but supportive and loving. I wrote many papers on marriage and relationships based on their experience and advice. I probably would have quit school long ago if it wasn't for that guy next to me. To say Jason encouraged me and helped me stay positive is a severe understatement. It's cliche but I understand how someone can be your "rock" because he is mine.

My mommy, the first person I would call after doing awful on a test or two. She has an uncanny ability to see the good in life. Holly, who always believed I would get into BYU when everyone else wasn't so sure, including myself. She's a keeper and understands me in a way no one else does.

We used graduation as an excuse to partay! These are some of my beautiful sisters who attended.

Big thanks to Scott, Linda, my mom, Holly, Marissa, and everyone who helped organize and set everything up for the party! There are obviously many other family and friends who were supportive and helpful in finishing my degree and I'm so grateful to you all.

blast from the past and present.

It is so interesting to look at pictures and see how much people have changed over the years. It makes me laugh at how much older my friends, husband and I look. Examples below..(sorry I can't figure out how to make it not underline everything)

Oh dear. Hiking Y mountain as a freshman, I guess the pose gives that away.

I thought there was only supposed to be one awkward stage in life. Apparently, I had a few.

Don't worry it only took me 2 1/2 years to realize it.

Our birthday dinner! One of my favorites of us. September 2010.

Dating and first outdoor adventure together. Never again. Summer 2008.

Jungle Party 2008, this crocodile hunter outfit had me sold. Alas, still awkward.

Europe trip 2010. Together in Paris.

My sister's wedding! March 2011. I love this time in our lives where we are young, in love, and finally look appropriate in pictures. :) Upcoming post: GRADUATION.

Never suppress a generous thought.

I heard this quote in church and tucked it away as something to remember everyday. Lately, we have been progressing towards an upcoming graduation and move to San Jose, living life to the fullest. This is what we have been up to in these parts.

BYU basketball games. It's a pretty big deal here. We like to think of them as FHE.

Cougars fo life.

So this is a player on the basketball team. He was ahead of me in line at the testing center and has the biggest booty I have ever seen. I thought for sure he was hiding a watermelon in the back of his sweatpants.

My sister Kat is getting married! Katy, our sister-in-law, and I threw her a bridal shower last weekend and even though most of our other female family members couldn't be there, we had a great time. Hopefully Kat did too, congratulations future Mrs. Tilby!

These are the cupcakes I made for the party. One day I will have time to make homemade fondant and create some real beauties. I thought these turned out cute and appropriate for the shower.

Food table. So chic.

Tiffany, our other sister, sent Kat a bedazzled bikini bottom along with a bunch of other thoughtful, sexy, fun gifts. She is a creative genius that one.

We also just celebrated Linda's birthday at one of our favorite restaurants. It is so fun to have Jason's parents close by and we love spending time with our family.

This picture captures a beautiful moment.

I had a dilemma last weekend when a ward activity I was in charge of was taking place at the same time as Kat's shower. No one from my committee could go to replace me and I was really stressed about what to do. My generous mantra must have rubbed off on Jason because he volunteered to go and organize the whole activity for me so I wouldn't miss the shower. The real shocker was the activity took place at the same time as a BYU NCAA tournament basketball game, any wife of a sports fanatic understands the importance of this. My kind husband still went and missed watching his favorite team play and WIN IT, and if that isn't love, I don't know what is.

14th of February

We had a very laid back Valentine's day. I hope one day we can take a trip, get massages, or do anything that doesn't involve a chain restaurant and studying for a test. Not that I'm complaining, time is very limited that Jason isn't working on a project, at work or fulfilling his EQP duties. I love this holiday and having a day dedicated to showing someone you love them. I love Jason, he is so dedicated to our future and making me happy everyday.

Eating at P.F. Changs!

Jason got me the Nordstrom bracelet on my wrist, a gift card to my favorite cupcake shop and chocolates! He knows me very well.

All in all it was a great day. We are still in love after more than 2 years HOO-RAH.

Sundance Tradition

The Sundance film festival is by far one of the best aspects of living in Utah. This was the fourth year my friends and I braved the snow and slush for the glimpse of a celebrity and hopefully access into a film. Unfortunately, we didn't make it into a movie this time but still had fun nonetheless. I will miss this tradition a lot after we all move on from college.

Jason couldn't come but Emily and Dustin let me hang out with them all day. It was very much appreciated.
Sara, Tyler and Rachel. Tyler and Rachel just got engaged!
My lovely friends. They got me through college. Well, Jason helped a little too I guess.

Long time no see...

I am finally cleaning out the cobwebs on this blog and writing a new post. We have been a tad bit busy and to be honest I have to be in a certain state of mind to sit down and devote three hours to updating this thing. You understand, don't you? Maybe Tiff doesn't :) These are just a few of the things Jason and I have been up to..

After much thought and multiple internship offers from EVERY firm Jason interviewed with, yes I'm bursting with pride, we decided to accept an offer from Ernst and Young in San Jose, California. Jason has been studying 24-7 so he can accurately do your taxes, please appreciate this effort.

Workin it, and I don't mean on the dance floor.

We are also enrolled in a little thing called college. I thought Jimmer was a good representation of BYU, until I have a picture of me in a cap and gown. April 21-22 everyone. Jason won't graduate until April 2012, but he will have a masters degree alongside his bachelors so it will be worth the extra year in Provo!

Since I haven't updated in months, I had to include pictures of the most amazing trip we took with my in-laws last August. We went to Paris, Amsterdam and Dublin and these pictures don't come close to capturing everything we experienced. Look on Facebook for full albums!

Dublin was a wild and crazy time!

Beautiful castles and landscapes at every turn.

The Netherlands was where my brother-in-law, Jeff, served his mission. The reason for the trip to europe was to visit the people he taught the gospel to and seeing where he lived for two years. He was a great tour guide and speaks dutch just as good as any of the locals.

PARIS. We all ate pastries and visited museums around the clock. This is the gardens at Versailles palace. The palace was beyond words.

I had to get this picture. I love my husband.

So back to reality in Utah...

We have attended the occasional Jazz game...

and back in December we celebrated our two year anniversary!

Phew, I think I just hit the three hour mark. Thanks for your patience and please don't give up on checking this blog :) We are so blessed and have many exciting times coming up in our future.