Leaving For Utah

Heather Wadsworth (my cousin) is getting married on Saturday! I am so excited to go to Utah for the wedding. UNFORTUNATELY Sam isn't coming with me! Sigh...it will be our first time away from each other since we've been married..oh well. It will be a busy weekend so hopefully I won't have TOO much time to miss him! I am excited to stay with my old BYU-H roommates too!! Yay!

We are all moved in!!! We are so relieved to have everything put away and organized. It feels so good to have this space! I will post pictures after I get back from my trip! Hooray!

We are moving!!!

Hey all! So for those of you who don't know, Sam and I are moving out of San Jose and into Los Gatos! We are SOOOOO excited about it! It is right next to Downtown LG (EASY walking distance) and just a gorgeous place! We got the jobs as apartment managers, so it is a great deal for us! We are going to be officially moved as of April 11th! YAY!

Still trying to catch up!

Our 1 Year (dating) Anniversary





So our 1 year dating anniversary is pretty important to us (obviously) but especially because it is not like it was the first time we met. We were practically best friends before this date. I watched him go out on other dates with other girls and he would tell me how it went (while I was crying inside because I was in love with him....haha jk..sorta), and he would come sit down on the couch with me and his roommate and watch a movie. So when we decided to go for that change in our relationship it was quite monumental. It was exactly a week after his birthday that we had our first date. As I said in the last post it was after his birthday that he started to realize I was someone he should really consider dating. We had some interesting talks the week after...Including the strangest Gchat I have ever had...Where I thought we were making jokes then all of the sudden it turned real and we decided to go out!

Our first date was litterally the best date I have been on hands down. I had never felt so comfortable with someone like that on a first date. We stayed at the restaurant for about 3 hours while only ordering an appetizer and dessert, just talking and laughing...and possibly a little footsie. hahah. Then we walked down to Santana Row and made wishes in a fountain and it was possibly one of the most romantic moments I had had up to that point! Just the way we hugged and the way he looked at me made it a night to remember. I remember making a wish (Don't worry I didn't say this one outloud) that we would get married and be together forever. Haha I know that seems crazy but from the moment I had met him months before I knew we would be perfect together! And sure enough it came true! I am so lucky to have such an amazing man. He is everything I could have ever imagined and more. He is my prince charming through and through. Thank you for giving me the world babe.

The guys at cheesecake factory were so awesome! Look what they brought us to celebrate! Plus it was totally coincidence but we thought it was cool, they were playing our song while we were eating! Very romantic and fun!Our infamous fountain...Yes it is so famous its INfamous. The spot where we made wishes and cuddled on our first date. Then he proposed to me here right after I got off the plane from Hawaii. So we came back on our anniversary to make more wishes. If you look hard enough you can see a penny flying. Hah. I think it was a pretty awesome wish he made...

Sam's Birthday!!

So Sam's birthday passed a few weeks ago but here is his birthday post! haha. His birthday was on a Sunday, so we just hung out all day!

Here is his cake! This is the second birthday cake I made for him. The first one I made for him (last year) was kind of my way of getting him to like me! Haha. We actually started to really think about dating each other after his birthday party last year!! So its an extra special day for us!



Really excited to play Wii Fit for the first time!!
Yoga tree pose!! Hehe
Hehe this made us happy!

My 25 Things To Do Before I am 25

So in spite of Sam turning 25 last week (which that is the next post following once I upload the photos) I decided that I needed to make a list of things I want to do before I am 25. Some are pretty silly and some I want to do very badly! So here goes:

What do you think?

1. Bungee Jump (off of a bridge NOT a dam!)
2. Sky dive (preferably somewhere tropical...but if it really comes down to it Hollister will do...sigh)
3. Get a passport so I can LEGALLY go out of the country and not have to be smuggled back in
4. USE my passport...hopefully to Europe, I've been tropical a bit lately and I'm ready for some real European culture!
5. Birth a little bundle of joy! haha
6. Buy a home
7. Get my bachelors degree in Photography
8. Start my photography business for real
9. Learn to play the guitar...or at least the piano better
10. Get into a habit of going to the gym at least 2 or 3 times a week
11. Snowboard in a place other than tahoe
12. Go to the East Coast....and see something besides NYC
13. Turn some of my photos into postcards
14. Become a Super Mormon Crafty Momma
15. Lead an aerobics class
16. Go to a karaoke bar and sing my heart out with Sammy
17. Drive across the Autoban (may have to be pushed til the before I'm 30 list...we'll see when we get to Europe!)
18. Drive an Astin Martin or Maserati
19. Expand my french vocabulary to the point where I can actually have a real conversation
20. Try Caviar (I always thought it was something against the word of wisdom when I was little...hehe not sure why)
21. Golf 18 holes on a REAL golf course
22. Have a canning day!
23. Make a meal using dried camping food and see if Sam notices the difference
24. Design and sew some clothing for myself, and learn how to make baby dresses! And Sew a quilt!
25. Paint our walls (in the house to be bought before 25) actual colors besides beige or white!! Have at least one red wall in the kitchen!!!

Oo I forgot!

I was planning on doing a whole separate post for the AMAZING photos my sister in law Emily took. Here are just a few of our favorites! Seriously people..she is amazing! Wow we were blown away and had soo much fun taking them! SO here they are:















She shoots weddings in Utah and I HIGHLY recommend her! Her website is http://barnwoodphotography.com/ Check it out!

Valentine's Day!

Valentines Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Even when I didn't have a boyfriend, I always thought it was so much fun to have a holiday all about red (my very favorite color). I LOVE making valentines day treats and just doing special things for my honey. Unfortunately this year work was pretty stressful the week leading up to v-day so we didn't get to do as much as I would have liked to! BUT we did have one incredible Valentines Day! And Sammy sent me gorgeous Asiatic Lilies to my work on Thursday! Just in time for them to be in full bloom by Valentines Day! Definitely brightened up the office! (Although this picture is taken at home..not at the office):



Sam had to go help someone move that morning, so I got to sleep in! After he got home we just got to hang out all day. Which is pretty rare, just spending time together, not having to do anything in particular. We then got all dressed up "sumbada sumbada":




And we went to John Bentley's in Woodside. It was the coolest little restaurant. A nice romantic hideaway. We sat right next to the fireplace so it was very cozy! Although if you combined both mine and Sam's ages we still would have been younger then the next youngest customer there! Haha. We had a DELICIOUS dinner! Very fancy!! We were definitely glad we dressed up so much!



After John Bentley's we went to Redwood City to our favorite little dessert place there called La Tartine. They have very pretty and delicious desserts!



After La Tartine we went and saw He's Just Not That Into You. We LOVED it! We knew we were going to like it because we really like most of the actors (although Sam despises Drew Barrymore). We were laughing pretty hard. We thought it was pretty funny, because the movie is about girls always thinking they are the exception. Like a guy doesn't call, but her friend says, "Oh I had a friend and she went out on a date and the guy didn't call, but then they saw each other a few months later and then they ended up getting married". Making girls think that just because it happened to one girl TOTALLY means it is going to happen to her. Which was funny to us because we totally were the exception. When we first met, Sam definitely only thought of me as a friend. He openly didn't like me "like that". But things turned around obviously and we fell in love! Therefore we were an exception to the rule of He's Just Not That Into You. Hehe.


All in all we had a PHENOMENAL Valentine's Day! I am so grateful for my sweet husband and all that he does for me. And now I can't wait to celebrate his birthday in a week!!

Our Wedding

Ok so it is definitely time for a new post! Things have been a little crazy lately as I'm sure you can imagine with a wedding right during the holidays, but we are starting to get settled. Sam was already moved in to our place, but we have been working on moving me in now... and all of our presents... which by the way THANK YOU everyone!!! We are so grateful for your gifts (expect a Thank You card soon..haha)! We feel like we have been moving for a month and a half straight now! But we are finally starting to get settled in and making our apartment a home.

Our wedding was absolutely amazing. I could not have pictured it better! Everyone who helped did an absolutely amazing job!! Some of my favorite things from the wedding...

The Walton Family

The Lentz Family

Our Friends at the Temple

The Oakland Temple

The Ceiling

The Cake

Our First Dance

It was funny, I was really trying hard before the wedding to have the outlook that if something goes wrong on the wedding day, it is ok, that the only important thing is that we get married in the temple, and everything else is just a party. But seriously, absolutely everything went off without a hitch! Picture perfect! Best day ever! I have one amazing husband.

How We Met

For those of you who don't know Sam and I have a bit of an unusual history:

The first time we met was on a blind double date... with other people. He was on a date with my friend Andie Knudsen, and I was on a date with his roommate Richard Carey. We had a lot of fun, but I seemed to be connecting with Sam more than my date. Halfway through the date I realized that I needed to stop asking Sam questions and start paying more attention to Richard! Needless to say that ended up being the one and only date Richard and I ever went on.

(photo of our "first date")

About a week later Sam's other roommate, Steve Pearson, asked me and Andie to come over again so HE could make us dinner this time. We heartily agreed. We went over to their house and after that night Steve and I started to date. Steve and I casually dated for a few months. During these months Sam and I started to become best friends. We would play volleyball every Tuesday together at the beginning. Then we started getting our friends all together to hang out. A couple months went by, then Steve and I went our separate ways, but we are all great friends and he could not be happier for Sam and me.

(Sam and I playing Volleyball before we dated)

On To The Good Stuff!

Since the first day I met him, I had a crush on Sam. Pretty much everyone knew it, even Sam. Sam wasn't quite ready for me though. After his birthday party it started to hit him that he probably should go out with me. He asked me out, which was a complete shock to me, but I could not have been more excited about it. We went out the next weekend and it truly was the best date either of us has ever been on.

Sam picked me up in his convertible Mustang and took me to Cheesecake factory. We stayed at the restaurant for about 2.5 hours while only ordering an appetizer and dessert (I'm sure our waiter was very happy with us). We just talked and laughed the entire time. To whomever has not been on a date with their best friend- I highly recommend it!

After dinner we walked down to Santana Row. We sat on a bench in front of a fountain. He pulled out two rolls of pennies. He informed me that we were going to throw pennies into the fountain and make wishes. We started to make wishes. I can't remember all the wishes we made, but I remember Sam making one saying, "I wish I had asked you out sooner". After that wish, I remember going in to hug him and just staying there cuddling with him on that bench across the fountain. This moment was absolute perfection. We sat there cuddling and making wishes for a few more hours. I think we both began to picture a future together while making these wishes. After a while we finally left the fountain. The next time we returned to that fountain is when Sam proposed to me.

(Photo of the fountain from our first date and proposal right after we got engaged)

After that first date we were pretty much always together. I love the evolution our relationship has gone through. I have loved every step and each stage. I am so happy we are where we are right now. I look forward to each stage in the future. I cannot wait for our wedding, our first baby, our 50th wedding anniversary, etc. Sorry I know that was long, but it probably could have been much longer! I am so glad Sam and I were friends before we dated. It gave us an incredibly strong foundation for our relationship. I am so glad I am marrying my best friend!

About Me (Sam)

We realize that many of you have not yet had a chance to meet Brittany or me. So, we thought we’d do some brief introductions. Let’s start by turning the clock back a smidge...

My mother Eileen Hacking was raised on a dairy farm near Rexburg, Idaho. She was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pennsylvania. While serving there, she was involved in a car accident. The insurance agent, James Lentz, became curious about the black name tag she and the other missionary wore. He began investigating the Church and decided to get baptized. He was set back a bit, though, in finding out that he couldn’t date her. So, he decided to take a train to Rexburg and work on the farm to win over her family. Apparently, that did the trick! Once she finished her mission, he brought her back to Pennsylvania, where they were soon married. They had two wonderful children (Derek and Kathy) and then I showed up. :)

I was born in February 1984 and raised in Millersburg, Pennsylvania—about 45 minutes north of Harrisburg. I stayed pretty active chasing soccer balls, baseballs, and basketballs. My high school was pretty small (2001 graduating class of 60), so I had plenty of opportunities to have fun and get involved. The size of the Millersburg LDS branch I attended fluctuated, so often I’d participate with the Harrisburg Ward for scouts and youth activities. Somehow, I was able to squeak by with my Eagle Scout award the week I left for college.

Starting in 2001, I attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Because of my love for zeroes and ones and all things digital, I studied information systems at the Marriott School of Management. I took two years off to serve a two-year full-time mission for the Church in Pocatello, Idaho. Even though I spoke English and did not go to an exotic location, I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. It was incredible and was one of the best learning experiences of my life. By the time I returned home, my parents had moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. (At least they had the decency to tell me their new address!) Soon thereafter, I returned to BYU and finished with my bachelor’s and master’s degree in December 2006.

During the first few months of 2007, I wanted to mix things up a bit, so I traveled to Kenya to volunteer with Yehu Microfinance. While there, I also took a week off to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Simply phenomenal! On the return flight, I used a little tomfoolery and shenanigans to turn my two-hour layover in Amsterdam into a two-week layover. I got a Eurail pass and hit the tracks—visiting 9 European cities in 14 days. It was an incredible experience, but when I take Brittany there someday, I think I’ll slow down a little bit!

When I got back to the states, I took a little road trip around the Western US before settling down into real life. It had to happen sooner or later, I suppose. After a summer internship with KPMG in Mountain View, California in 2006, I decided that was the life for me. I’ve now been working there for about a year and a half as an IT consultant. Working in beautiful Silicon Valley, I’ve been lucky enough to work on fun clients like Apple Computer, Google, and EMC².

Honestly, I thought I was perfectly happy with my life, basking in the wonderful sunlight of singlehood. And then... Brittany happened. And I couldn’t be happier. She is everything to me. I can’t imagine a better match, and I’m so glad she said yes! It blows me away that I get to be with her forever. I can’t wait to see how our love will grow and develop with time. To boot, I'm marrying into an incredible family. I love the Waltons, and I'm excited to more than double my pool of cute nieces and nephews. Hopefully, you'll get to see them dancing at the wedding!

About Me (Brittany Walton)

I was born in 1988 and raised in Campbell, California. I have grown up in the Bay Area in the same house I was born in. I have six older brothers who are all married. Which means I have 6 sister in laws who are all amazing! My parents are Mark and Susan Walton. My dad was also born and raised in Campbell, CA. My mom was born in Virginia and raised in California. She went to BYU, and my dad went to West Valley College then formed his own business, Walton Art Glass in 1972. He creates gorgeous stained and beveled glass windows.

(our latest family picture sans Sam, Maria, Beck and Gibson)

I attended Westmont High School. I was very active in the school. Participating in student goverment and activities, but mainly cheerleading. I was a cheerleader for 4 years. Three of those years were on varsity and as a captain my senior year. Cheerleading was a very rewarding experience for me, and I learned many life lessons that would later come in handy! I graduated in June 2006 (and yes that is the same year Sam graduated from college...and we are only 4 years apart).

After graduating high school, I attended West Valley College as well. I studied there for 2 years while preparing to transfer to BYU. I ended up getting into BYU-Hawaii. However, after I got in I started dating Sam. We fell very much in love. I went away to school for a semester, but that was about all we could stand! School in Hawaii was amazing. It was a wonderful experience, and I wouldn't ever change it. I think moving away made both Sam and me realize how in love we truly were. I came back to California for my brother's wedding and Sam proposed about 2 hours after I got off the plane! Had no choice but to stay on the mainland! haha!

(Sam and I in front of the Laie Temple in Hawaii)

I am currently transfering to San Jose State. My major is in Photography. I have worked as a photographer for the magazine World Art Glass Quarterly for the passed few years. I love this field. I truly have a passion for photography...just wish I could take our own wedding photos!

I am absolutely in love with the man of my dreams. He is everything I could have ever dreamed of and more. Every day I fall more in love with him and realize how lucky I am. He keeps me laughing all the time. I am so grateful for the love that we have. I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to be married in the Oakland Temple for time and all eternity and cannot wait for November 29th!

Family Blog

Well, we now have a family blog. Even though we're not technically a family yet. 38 days? Ah, close enough.

We'll soon try to post some of our engagement photos, post some information about the wedding and how we met, and provide links to our registries. We're actually working on the invitations as I'm typing this, but by the time most of you read this, you will likely have already received one. For those of you who have never met Brittany... yes, she really is that beautiful. As you come to know her, you will be thoroughly impressed by her and completely shocked that I got so lucky.

If you're curious how we got engaged, here is a link to our engagement story:

http://samlentz.blogspot.com/2008/08/sam-engaged.html

We look forward to seeing most of you in the coming weeks.

Just be patient...