Amy & Chris

June 27–28, 2024 • Salt Lake City, UT

Amy & Chris

June 27–28, 2024 • Salt Lake City, UT

Our Story

One of our first dates was at the temple. We went to a sealing session and Amy had a reaction to a medication and almost passed out at the altar. Hopefully she doesn't pass out at the altar at her own sealing. An EMT escorted Amy to the first floor and, as if reading from a cue card that Chris wrote, he said, "You better go get her a steak." Say no more! On our way out of the temple, Chris said, "Just to be safe, I better hold your hand so you don't fall in case you faint again." We talked about personality theory while we were at Texas Roadhouse.

April 15, 2023

One of our first dates was at the temple. We went to a sealing session and Amy had a reaction to a medication and almost passed out at the altar. Hopefully she doesn't pass out at the altar at her own sealing. An EMT escorted Amy to the first floor and, as if reading from a cue card that Chris wrote, he said, "You better go get her a steak." Say no more! On our way out of the temple, Chris said, "Just to be safe, I better hold your hand so you don't fall in case you faint again." We talked about personality theory while we were at Texas Roadhouse.
Amy put on a retreat with her friend James and Chris jumped in to help. We went down to St. George and James shared his story of walking across the country during 2020. We walked the Kayenta Desert Rose Labyrinth as we meditated, learned some cool beats from each other in a drum circle, and enjoyed some amazing food provided by James, who will be catering an action station at the reception.

May 13, 2023

Amy put on a retreat with her friend James and Chris jumped in to help. We went down to St. George and James shared his story of walking across the country during 2020. We walked the Kayenta Desert Rose Labyrinth as we meditated, learned some cool beats from each other in a drum circle, and enjoyed some amazing food provided by James, who will be catering an action station at the reception.
Chris likes to wear his Letterman jacket to babies' births in the family. No one ever notices but it's an inside joke to himself. After visiting his brand new nieces Natalie and Nora, he 'claimed' Amy by letting her wear his jacket. Another niece, Grace, was also born this past year and Chris wore his jacket again but no one noticed. We've had many chances to hold babies this year and have gotten to imagine holding our own babies. Amy is the daughter of two twins (her father is fraternal and her mother is identical) while Chris's firstborns Gavin and Gabriel are twins. His sister Chelsey bore twins, Natalie and Nora, and Chris's father Marlan, has a twin, Harlan. Chris's sister Chelsey and his brother Chase are also twins. And Chris is a Gemini :) There are a bunch of twins in the genes and in the stars, so we are intrigued to find out what the gene pool holds for us.

May 18, 2023

Chris likes to wear his Letterman jacket to babies' births in the family. No one ever notices but it's an inside joke to himself. After visiting his brand new nieces Natalie and Nora, he 'claimed' Amy by letting her wear his jacket. Another niece, Grace, was also born this past year and Chris wore his jacket again but no one noticed. We've had many chances to hold babies this year and have gotten to imagine holding our own babies. Amy is the daughter of two twins (her father is fraternal and her mother is identical) while Chris's firstborns Gavin and Gabriel are twins. His sister Chelsey bore twins, Natalie and Nora, and Chris's father Marlan, has a twin, Harlan. Chris's sister Chelsey and his brother Chase are also twins. And Chris is a Gemini :) There are a bunch of twins in the genes and in the stars, so we are intrigued to find out what the gene pool holds for us.
Chris, Amy, and their friend Cosme planned an impromptu BBQ for Memorial Day last year and had a great turnout of about 100 people. That same weekend we organized a campout and about 10 people joined us. We discovered we work really well on projects together and we both love hosting. We intend to invite couples and kids' friends to dinner, game nights, and other activities as we are both very social and extroverted, however we do enjoy time alone as well and a quiet night-in. This picture features Cosme and Janae, Amy's best friend at the campout.

May 28, 2023

Chris, Amy, and their friend Cosme planned an impromptu BBQ for Memorial Day last year and had a great turnout of about 100 people. That same weekend we organized a campout and about 10 people joined us. We discovered we work really well on projects together and we both love hosting. We intend to invite couples and kids' friends to dinner, game nights, and other activities as we are both very social and extroverted, however we do enjoy time alone as well and a quiet night-in. This picture features Cosme and Janae, Amy's best friend at the campout.
Chris turned 40 this past year, so Amy went all out. Since Chris is basically a keto karnivore, Amy made him a meatloaf frosted in mashed potatoes. It was bleeding meat goo so it looked a little suspicious, but Chris was still surprised when the 'cake' was cut. She framed a list of 40 things she liked about him. Later we made lists for the kids of all the things we like about them as well. We went on a mystery trip and arrived at the Homestead Crater and went swimming.

June 03, 2023

Chris turned 40 this past year, so Amy went all out. Since Chris is basically a keto karnivore, Amy made him a meatloaf frosted in mashed potatoes. It was bleeding meat goo so it looked a little suspicious, but Chris was still surprised when the 'cake' was cut. She framed a list of 40 things she liked about him. Later we made lists for the kids of all the things we like about them as well. We went on a mystery trip and arrived at the Homestead Crater and went swimming.
Chris's mom, Clarene, scored tickets at the Hale Centre Theater and often gave them to us so we went to a few plays this past year. Our favorite was Catch Me If You Can. It was a whodunit and kept us on our toes the whole play. During Titanic Amy realized Chris might be her future husband.

July 02, 2023

Chris's mom, Clarene, scored tickets at the Hale Centre Theater and often gave them to us so we went to a few plays this past year. Our favorite was Catch Me If You Can. It was a whodunit and kept us on our toes the whole play. During Titanic Amy realized Chris might be her future husband.
Abby was baptized last year and everyone gathered for her special day. She had Kneaders croissant sandwiches for refreshments. Marlan was a speaker and shared his conversion story. It was special for Amy to share that day with Abby. As a family, we are looking forward to holding companionship inventory and family council weekly, implementing a chore chart and schedule with rewards and consequences, and creating home organization together.

July 08, 2023

Abby was baptized last year and everyone gathered for her special day. She had Kneaders croissant sandwiches for refreshments. Marlan was a speaker and shared his conversion story. It was special for Amy to share that day with Abby. As a family, we are looking forward to holding companionship inventory and family council weekly, implementing a chore chart and schedule with rewards and consequences, and creating home organization together.
Chris invited Amy to a community event in Salem, Utah. The community wrote and drew their hopes and dreams on lanterns and cast them out on a lake at the same time. We played corn hole and Pando. Little did Chris know that just a few weeks prior, Amy realized she loved him while listening to the song "I See the Light" from Tangled and this experience was reminiscent of that song.

July 08, 2023

Chris invited Amy to a community event in Salem, Utah. The community wrote and drew their hopes and dreams on lanterns and cast them out on a lake at the same time. We played corn hole and Pando. Little did Chris know that just a few weeks prior, Amy realized she loved him while listening to the song "I See the Light" from Tangled and this experience was reminiscent of that song.
Julia and Spencer Deery, John and Kelly Smurthwaite, and John Jensen happened to be in town at the same time as us. We spent time reminiscing about West Hartford and catching up at the Jensen home. Blair Jensen was Amy's bishop and Nancy Jensen was Amy's Young Women's leader growing up. Chris was able to hear some stories from Amy's youth, which unfortunately will be rare since we will be so far away from Connecticut and many of the families Amy grew up with have moved away.

July 23, 2023

Julia and Spencer Deery, John and Kelly Smurthwaite, and John Jensen happened to be in town at the same time as us. We spent time reminiscing about West Hartford and catching up at the Jensen home. Blair Jensen was Amy's bishop and Nancy Jensen was Amy's Young Women's leader growing up. Chris was able to hear some stories from Amy's youth, which unfortunately will be rare since we will be so far away from Connecticut and many of the families Amy grew up with have moved away.
After Amy's stem cell treatment at Dr. Calzada's clinic in Tijuana, we visited the nearby Tijuana beach. The mountain was on fire on the road to the beach and we were worried if we would be able to return the same way. Mexicans in Tijuana don't like umbrellas, but they sure like their music. There were vendors pushing their carts through the sand near the water and it was very crowded. Melanie and Adan that lived nearby in Tijuana and enjoyed a few authentic Mexican meals. We visited with her friends from her mission in Carlsbad, California. We were able to visit with a few of Amy's converts.

July 27, 2023

After Amy's stem cell treatment at Dr. Calzada's clinic in Tijuana, we visited the nearby Tijuana beach. The mountain was on fire on the road to the beach and we were worried if we would be able to return the same way. Mexicans in Tijuana don't like umbrellas, but they sure like their music. There were vendors pushing their carts through the sand near the water and it was very crowded. Melanie and Adan that lived nearby in Tijuana and enjoyed a few authentic Mexican meals. We visited with her friends from her mission in Carlsbad, California. We were able to visit with a few of Amy's converts.
Amy's best friend Janae had her reception on October 27 and her civil ceremony on October 28 of last year. She then got sealed on February 28. Amy really liked the format of her wedding and the timing worked out with kids' schedules to have our reception on June 27 and sealing on June 28. Amy was Janae's wedding planner and bridesmaid and Chris helped in setting up her wedding in Logan.

October 28, 2023

Amy's best friend Janae had her reception on October 27 and her civil ceremony on October 28 of last year. She then got sealed on February 28. Amy really liked the format of her wedding and the timing worked out with kids' schedules to have our reception on June 27 and sealing on June 28. Amy was Janae's wedding planner and bridesmaid and Chris helped in setting up her wedding in Logan.
Chris and Amy picked a good year to do a couples costume and dressed up as Barbie and Ken this year. They sported this outfit at all the Halloween parties. Both blondes by nature or nuture--they fit the roles pretty well. Chris and Amy are very good dancers, but Amy doesn't enjoy dancing that much anymore so we haven't shared that pasttime together. We spent Thanksgiving at Chris's family's house in Alpine and visited with Amy's cousins in Saratoga Springs. We've enjoyed some fun holidays together.

October 31, 2023

Chris and Amy picked a good year to do a couples costume and dressed up as Barbie and Ken this year. They sported this outfit at all the Halloween parties. Both blondes by nature or nuture--they fit the roles pretty well. Chris and Amy are very good dancers, but Amy doesn't enjoy dancing that much anymore so we haven't shared that pasttime together. We spent Thanksgiving at Chris's family's house in Alpine and visited with Amy's cousins in Saratoga Springs. We've enjoyed some fun holidays together.
Our first date was pickleball and we have loved playing pickleball together ever since. We got good enough to win a 3.0+ tournament together at Club Pickleball in Sandy. We particularly enjoy playing at the Murray courts which is where many intermediate and advanced players like to play. We have matching pickleball shoes. Chris enjoys challenging just about anyone at an outdoor pickleball court and teaching people how the court rotation system works.

December 15, 2023

Our first date was pickleball and we have loved playing pickleball together ever since. We got good enough to win a 3.0+ tournament together at Club Pickleball in Sandy. We particularly enjoy playing at the Murray courts which is where many intermediate and advanced players like to play. We have matching pickleball shoes. Chris enjoys challenging just about anyone at an outdoor pickleball court and teaching people how the court rotation system works.
Christmas was exciting for both of us and the kids. Amy gifted the family an overnight stay at Grand America and Santa got everyone Lagoon passes. We hope to still use them enough despite having a very busy summer. Amy and the kids had special bonding experiences like Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts for other family members, and making a gingerbread house together in a counsins' gingerbreadmaking competition. Amy's friend Jami gave Amy and the girls tickets to Zoolights and they goofed off the whole night. We discovered that we really like to laugh together.

December 22, 2023

Christmas was exciting for both of us and the kids. Amy gifted the family an overnight stay at Grand America and Santa got everyone Lagoon passes. We hope to still use them enough despite having a very busy summer. Amy and the kids had special bonding experiences like Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts for other family members, and making a gingerbread house together in a counsins' gingerbreadmaking competition. Amy's friend Jami gave Amy and the girls tickets to Zoolights and they goofed off the whole night. We discovered that we really like to laugh together.
Everyone stayed the night at Grand America and enjoyed the indoor pool and got some hot chocolate at the lounge late at night. The next morning Amy scored an employee-discounted brunch buffet at Laurel Brasserie for the family. Their friend Dave was there with his jazz trio entertaining at the restaurant. This was perhaps the best meal they ever had! Following this meal, they went to church at a small branch designated for people that were coming out of halfway houses in 12-step programs. Abby and Betsy bore their testimonies for the first time. The Spirit was very strong. The contrast of the opulence of Grand America to an addiction recovery branch was very stark and refreshing.

January 07, 2024

Everyone stayed the night at Grand America and enjoyed the indoor pool and got some hot chocolate at the lounge late at night. The next morning Amy scored an employee-discounted brunch buffet at Laurel Brasserie for the family. Their friend Dave was there with his jazz trio entertaining at the restaurant. This was perhaps the best meal they ever had! Following this meal, they went to church at a small branch designated for people that were coming out of halfway houses in 12-step programs. Abby and Betsy bore their testimonies for the first time. The Spirit was very strong. The contrast of the opulence of Grand America to an addiction recovery branch was very stark and refreshing.
Ruby and Abby (Rubigail) had a regional gymastics tournament in Vegas and both of them placed near the top of their respective age groups. We explored the Bellagio during Chinense New Year, the year of the dragon, and enjoyed dinner at Rainforest Cafe. We stayed in Chris's family's home in St. George. Betsy made up creative, fun games for everyone to play together at the St. George house.

January 13, 2024

Ruby and Abby (Rubigail) had a regional gymastics tournament in Vegas and both of them placed near the top of their respective age groups. We explored the Bellagio during Chinense New Year, the year of the dragon, and enjoyed dinner at Rainforest Cafe. We stayed in Chris's family's home in St. George. Betsy made up creative, fun games for everyone to play together at the St. George house.
We checked out a new ski resort on the Get Out Pass at Cherry Peak. The resort was not a great beginner resort and Chris struggled most of the day as Amy tried to teach him snowboarding. They went again at Brighton and he did much better and was able to stay up most of the way down by the end. Chris and the kids used to ski. Amy likes snowboarding because it's a great way to avoid the winter blues.

January 20, 2024

We checked out a new ski resort on the Get Out Pass at Cherry Peak. The resort was not a great beginner resort and Chris struggled most of the day as Amy tried to teach him snowboarding. They went again at Brighton and he did much better and was able to stay up most of the way down by the end. Chris and the kids used to ski. Amy likes snowboarding because it's a great way to avoid the winter blues.
The engagement. Chris brought everyone to The Rush Funplex where we first confided that we loved each other. The girls and Chris and Amy's friends Jordan and Kelli set up a cute backdrop that included a PowerPoint with all the reasons Amy should marry Chris. Jordan first introduced Chris to Amy when he recuited him to help her move. Shortly after Chris and Amy got engaged, Jordan and Kelli got engaged as well and we helped them with their engagement. The first few weeks of engagement were a little rough, as we had a bunch of fears that came up after engagement, but later in the engagement, we had some miraculous experiences that confirmed our decision. One of the experiences Amy had was the appearance of rainbows, which have historically been symoblic for her, at special moments. This helped calm some of Amy's fears and feel at peace with her decision.

February 17, 2024

The engagement. Chris brought everyone to The Rush Funplex where we first confided that we loved each other. The girls and Chris and Amy's friends Jordan and Kelli set up a cute backdrop that included a PowerPoint with all the reasons Amy should marry Chris. Jordan first introduced Chris to Amy when he recuited him to help her move. Shortly after Chris and Amy got engaged, Jordan and Kelli got engaged as well and we helped them with their engagement. The first few weeks of engagement were a little rough, as we had a bunch of fears that came up after engagement, but later in the engagement, we had some miraculous experiences that confirmed our decision. One of the experiences Amy had was the appearance of rainbows, which have historically been symoblic for her, at special moments. This helped calm some of Amy's fears and feel at peace with her decision.

👰‍♀️ How did you first meet Chris? I was really burned out on dating and I told Heavenly Father that if He wanted me to get married, He’d have to drop him off at my doorstep. A mutual friend, Jordan Charles, recruited Chris to help me move into my new house. Chris was shoveling my driveway when I arrived with my moving truck and the rest is history.


🤵🏼How was your first date instigated? Amy invited me to help out with an urgent work event at Deer Valley and when our work was complete, she invited me to stay longer to check out a fancy yurt that she arranged. I kinda consider that our first date--1:1 in a yurt. She probably said pickleball which happened two days later.


👰‍♀️ How did the first date go? Our first date was pickleball. He didn’t get a few of my jokes so I didn’t think it would go anywhere. He stuttered so I knew he was nervous and I thought it was cute. Most of our dates since then have been pickleball which has been awesome.


🤵🏼 Describe what you first thought of Amy in one word. Focused.


👰‍♀️ Who said “I love you” first? We were at The Rush Funplex and kids were running around while we took a minute to chill. I told Chris that I would love to be considered to be a bonus mom to his kids and that affected him and he told me he loved me. I think he wasn’t expecting me to tell him that I told him I loved him too so quickly in return.


🤵🏼 What would be Amy's ideal date night? Games with friends & loved ones, relaxing, cooling off in a hot tub or pool after physical activity. Staying up late laughing before falling asleep in a tent.


👰‍♀️ Who is the funniest? Chris is the funniest and often catches me off-guard with his pranks, jokes, and witticisms. I always wanted to find a funny guy and I’m so grateful he makes me laugh every day, even on our worst days.


🤵🏼 Do you have a song, and if so, what is it? "Made" by Spencer Crandall.


👰‍♀️ What is Chris’s pet name for you? We both call each other “love” like the Brits.


🤵🏼 Name the best gift Amy ever gave you. Kindness & service towards five kids.


👰‍♀️ What is Chris's favorite junk food? Grapes.


🤵🏼 If Amy was a Disney character, who would she be? Belle


👰‍♀️ If Chris were an animal, which would he be? Golden Retriever--he’s always happy, playful, fun, silly, athletic, likes games, everyone’s friend, and wants to be where everybody is.


🤵🏼 If Amy had a superpower, what would it be? Wonder Woman’s Golden Lasso - forcefully make people aware of & acknowledge truth


👰‍♀️ How does Chris like his steak cooked? Rare.


🤵🏼 What is Amy's ideal vacation? Ocean beach intermixed with fun activities and personal development exposures.


👰‍♀️ What is Chris’s best feature? Physical? His sandy Argentine skin and hair. Best overall feature is his desire to have the Spirit in his life.


🤵🏼 How many children does Amy want? 2-7.


👰‍♀️ What is Chris's dream job? I think he has pretty close to his dream job but if he didn’t have that he’d be a pro pickleball player.


🤵🏼If money were no object, where would you want to live? Millcreek.


👰‍♀️ What color are Chris's eye’s? Same color as mine - amber