The End of a Long Summer

Happy Anniversary to us! We went to lunch at Edna's on Center. It was quite delicious and charming, then on to a movie. We ended our night with a walk out on the new Delta. Sure love you, Jonny!  

I chuckle at this photo- we've had a long running joke about Jon's squinty eyes compared to mine. He often lifts his eyebrows to give his eyes more volume, which is what makes me chuckle.

 These are busy times at the office! We are preparing for our annual Gala. This is our main fundraising night, and it is all hands on deck to prepare! We are holding it at Thanksgiving Point again. I am helping Diana with the flowers and we recruited Rachael from the ward to come help us. We had a day of fun chatting and prepping in the kitchen together. 

Right after the Gala we head into our first ever Values Week! A week of pulling the entire team together for meetings, activities and galvanizing. It has been so fun to have people fly in from all over and arrive at the office throughout the day to help. My dear pal, Leksi, from North Carolina arrived, which is so fun to have her here. Often our meetings are chatting away and catching up and then we have to reschedule to get some real work done. Even Rod, our Marketing Manager from Saõ Paulo is here! It is so fun to see him in person! He brought us Brazilian chocolates!

Once all of the flowers were arranged we set them in the front conference room. The smell was so lovely!

The set up was so organized. Our events team assigned each of us specific tasks and then once that was complete, we were to move on to another group and help. We had the whole thing set up within just a few hours and it all looked spectacular. 

Diana ordered excess roses to tuck around the space. I suggested we make two huge bouquets on the welcome table using her enormous glass vases and WOW!

They were a show stopper for sure!

There was such great attention to detail. Sara was the mastermind behind it all and knocked it out of the park! Our marketing department is full of talented, creative people that mad gorgeous menus, signs and pamphlets.

After decorating I ran home and got glam. The invitations suggested to wear gold, silver, or black. I wore it all!

Diana and I worked the welcome table together. It was fun to greet and check in all of our guests. 

It was an exhausting but rewarding night!

The office was in total disarray from the prep work. Flower petals and gold confetti everywhere. The events team dropped off the giant balloon arch and bins of decor. With Values Week starting right away, I wanted the office tidy and clean. I spent a night vacuuming, mopping and wiping everything down so that we would have a fresh space to gather with everyone. 

It felt so satisfying leaving a tidy space ready for all of the out-of-townees to come work in. 

And Diana and I each took home a vase of roses. Because WOW!

I wouldn't mind this refilled each week on my counter! 

Values Week Kick-Off!

Kassidy put together this funny top secret BINGO game for everyone to secretly participate in. It is surrounding quirky things Kent, our executive director always does. (Kassidy is his daughter, so it's all in good fun.)

Our first gathering was our All Hands Meeting at Gary's cabin up at Sundance. The leaves were starting to change and it was such a gorgeous setting for the entire day. I was in charge of all three meals plus snacks. For 40+ people, this was a lot of food! Note to self: Get help and divvy this up next time.

Macie, Kassidy and I

We had to peek around this gorgeous cabin!

I set out breakfast and was taking a bunch of empty boxes to throw in my trunk. As I was walking along the stone path, I tripped and could not stay upright with my arms full. I fell so hard! I caught myself with my hands but it left my palms numb all day from slapping the stone so hard. My wrist also started swelling immediately (and still sore to this day!) I hit the side of my head and when I stood up realized I had mud on my shirt and leaves in my hair. I think I fell extra hard because I was running to stay upright! (You know, with my nose inches from the ground). I limped to my car and just had to sit a minute in a daze. I was in so much pain! My knee was all bloody but somehow it didn't rip through my jeans. I hobbled inside to the bathroom and washed the gravel out of my hands, dabbed at my knee and scrubbed the mud out of my shirt. No one noticed and by the time I had to do my presentation my shirt had dried at least! I did tell a small group during lunch because my knee had a heartbeat, and Vlad ran and got me some band-aids from his car. This felt so much better to not have my jeans rubbing the raw skin. I mean, geeeeeeeeeeeeez, Lindsey! 
The rest of the day was great, other than my headache. There were hikes and a photo shoot for new head shots and an evening of games. This is really a great group!

The next day started at Thread Wallets on Center in Provo. They were so nice to dedicate their large backroom and kitchen for us! We had a morning of meetings and then braked for lunch.

After lunch, Vlad gave us the instructions for an elaborate Goose Chase he planned. We were divided into groups, we all downloaded the app and the scavenger hunt began! 

We ended up at Little Sahara. Some of the scavenger hunt tasks were gathering items for dinner and we roasted hot dogs and played games. It was so fun, Vlad did a great job. It was especially fun to be with all of the remote people we only get to see over Zoom meetings.

We had another day of meetings at Culinary Crafts, a restaurant up in SLC. It was fancy and they served us breakfast and lunch and the owner spoke with us about leadership and collaborating. We are so grateful for kind people willing to sponsor our foundation!

The day after that we spent the day at Award Co with more inspiring discussions and meetings. That workspace is legit! They catered lunch for us and gave us full access to their break room with fountain sodas and snacks. 

There were activities each evening like kayaking Provo River, crafting at the office or a movie night at someones house. I spear-headed a family night at Provo Beach Resort. Zeke and friend, Oliver joined me that night. One evening we gathered for a service project at Five.12, where we sorted food donations for families. Kent hosted a carne asada BBQ at his home on Sunday. It was exhausting to have big things every day and most evenings, but I also didn't want it to end. 

The final closing night dinner was a BBQ at Meredith's home in her big backyard. We gave out awards, people gave speeches, we even swapped our "secret sister" gifts (a version of that- ha!) My award said, "Lindsey Geertsen- most likely to get reported to HR"

Vlad and I are the sole members of the HR Team. Can you tell we're spelling "HR"?

I feel so lucky to have a chill, uplifting job and work with such spectacular, fun people! 

Adren bought a car! He took me for a spin. I'm happy for him! 

I decorated these black and white moth frames at the Values Week craft night. I like how under the stairs is coming together!

Where else can I paint this gorgeous fig color?

Pres Nielsen passed away this month. It has been neat to see all that progressed and changed in the church during his presidency.

Impromptu sushi dinner out with these babies!

This room is a continual work in progress- like every room. I added rolling blinds and curtains and my goodness it makes a difference to be able to control the lighting a little better.

We attended Sofi Porters wedding and it was beautiful! Happy for her and Spencer.

The similarities between Grandpa Taylor and Adren are amazing!

Daddy & Eliza

I strung twinkle lights on the back patio and made gold hanging stars. It sure cheered up the space!

Here is the photo I used to get the word out about the upcoming family Halloween party!

I'm loving fall in the air!