{ Oh.Christmas.Tree }

 I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours!!

{Over eating and over shopping in my case}

On Black Friday we went with my In-Laws to cut down our Christmas Tree ---    

a Skanchy tradition that I inherited when I inherited the name.

Its a tradition I absolutely LOVE 

{and we will continue to do it when we have children --- a long way in the future!!}

 Saying I was unprepared for the outing, is definitely an understatement

--- Seen as it was 55 degrees and the sun was shining, you wouldn't expect to need snow gear... but I was extremely wrong!! --- leggings and waterproof UGGs and we were ready to hike!! 

The snow was up to my knees --- and of course the higher you hike the better the trees are going to be!! 

As much as I hate hiking .. I was so excited for our first christmas tree I actually enjoyed myself.

{Sam gave me a 30 mins to find a tree or he's picking the closest one to us} 

My muscle man dragging it down the mountain!!

Proud of our tree!!

After a tiring day of tree cutting --- We had to hit the sales and luckily by the time we got there the rush had calmed down and actually bearable!

Hope your enjoying decorating your homes for the Christmas Season, leave me a link to your blogs so I can see all your darling decorations!!

Olivia 

xxx  

P.S... I haven't forgotten about posting a picture of our tree fully decorated, I need to purchase a star for the top of the tree!!

{ A.Month.Of.Thanks }

As we get closer to Christmas... 

{Its only 6 whole weeks away!!!}

Are you getting as excited as I am??

Unlucky for me I have to wait an extra week before I {supposedly} can even think about Christmas!! 

Due to a holiday called "Thanksgiving" --- Which us Brits don't celebrate.

As much as I am extremely Thankful that my husband will get a couple extra days off school, family time and of course delicious food... I will be truly Thankful when I can decorate my home all Christmasy! 

{My favourite Holiday is Christmas --- FOR SURE!!}

But... while I have another week of waiting here is a few things i'm truly Thankful for this year!!

1. My Parents --- for everything they have done and do for me!! Especially the most amazing wedding day I could have ever wished for!!
2. My Brothers --- for being the subjects of Mum's and mine lunch dates... theres always something new!!
3. My In-Laws --- for raising {and kicking into shape} the most kind hearted, intelligent, funny, good looking man i've ever met!! --- and the comfiest bed you would ever sleep in!!
4.  And of course my Husband --- for repeatably putting a smile on my face!! 

When I count my blessings I do count them all twice!!

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Olivia 

{ Elma.Skanchy }

Alma 11:41 …Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death….

            It is days like today that I am thankful I know this profound truth. 

Just this week my husbands beautiful, loving grandma left this earth to a more wonderful and happier place. 

Although to the people she leaves here on earth this as sad occasion,

 we must always remember that there is eternal life. 

Growing up in the LDS, or (Mormon) church I have been taught this all my life.

I am so thankful to know and understand this truly fabulous doctrine. 

I didn’t know Elma Skanchy very long but what I did know about her was she had a kind heart. 

She truly cared about each one of her children and grandchildren, and they loved her too. 

She would spend time each family get together and talk to each grandchild one by one asking about their life and their accomplishments. 

She even did this with me, a new member to the family!

She would remember what we had talked about last time and pick up from there. 

She was an athletic woman in her youth and seemed to enjoy any type of sport. 

She loved to come watch Sam play Football/Soccer. 

 Although I had only known her a few months I felt her love.

She will be missed but we all know she will be in a better place. 

Today I am thankful for the LDS church and its doctrine about life. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who have had a close friend or family member who have passed away. 

Just remember they are always looking down at us helping us through our struggles! 

Olivia 

xx

{ A.Little.Bit.Of.Love}

Tonight I came home to an empty home ---

As Sam is visiting his Grandma, up in Ogden

It really is crazy how much I miss him when he's not around!!

... SOOOO I thought i would share my top ten LOVES right now!! { Other than an amazing Husband like mine ;) }

1. Spending a lot of time with family --- we were lucky to spend last night at the theatre watching Oliver Twist --- seriously one of my favourite plays!!
2. A fresh Hair cut--- I've been in desperate need to have my hair done {since my hair grows like crazy these days --- its all this Utah sun!!}
3. Simply Lemonade --- Raspberry flavour of course ... i'm seriously addicted!!
4. Anything Christmasy --- I get far to excited thinking about christmas ... so i've already started my christmas crafts ready for December!! 
5. William-Sonoma pumpkin-peacan bread --- I crave this every day its THAT delicious!!
6. My new cute pants from Anthropologie --- In fact any piece of clothing in the colour plum!!
7. These Chicken Tacos --- the easiest and most delicious chicken meal to make!!!
8. My Prada Boots --- I've finally got them fixed ... woooh!!
9. A clean home --- there is no greater feeling than a clean home... and defiantly no better smell then those cleaning products ;)
10. and Finally there is nothing better or anything I LOVE more than cuddles with Samuel!! 

I would love to read some of your blogs--- leave me your links below :)

Olivia

xx

 

{ Remember.Remember }

If there is one thing I miss about England 

{other than my family, friends and of course our delicious food --- apparently Americans think its disgusting ... they clearly haven't tried Nando's!!}

... its Bonfire Night... 

{I know i'm a day late --- but I was so busy yesterday and everyones pictures on instagram were making me incredibly jealous!! }

As a child I would always be more excited for Bonfire night, than I would for Halloween!! 

How could you not?? 

{When you can make a live sized person to burn on a fire!!}

In my Childhood, we would always spend the weekend before making our 

Guy Fawkes to burn!! 

{If you don't know what bonfire night is about, a man name Guy Fawkes and some Catholics planned to blow up Parliament with the King, so they hung, drawn and quarted the men, and burned them!!}

Here is why I love Bonfire night...

unlimited Bonfires,

Fireworks,

Sparklers,

Bonfire Toffee,

Banoffee Pie,

Toffee Apples {or caramel apples for you yanks},

Jacket Potatoes with homemade Chilli,

Friends and Family,

Hand Warmers,

Freezing cold nights,

and the chance to wear your wellies!!

Next year we are planning to have a bonfire over here... and I can't wait!!!

Olivia

xx

P.S --- Tonight--- much to Sam's dismay we will be at the theatre watching Oliver twist, while the elections are going... who wants to send us updates?? 

{ Bonjour.November }

October has come and gone SOOO fast...

{Which I'm completely fine with --- because that means Christmas is so much closer!!}

...and i've hardly had anytime to blog!! 

So this is our October in a Nutshell!!

  

From Top Left:

1. Smiling before we entered the Haunted Corn maze

2. One of the Scarers --- he followed us for about 10 minutes !!

3. Finally making it out --- ALIVE!! 

4. Our Halloween outfits --- The Penguin and the Penguin Trainer!! 

5. He loved his outfit!!

6. Our Halloween Presents from the best mum in the world!! --- which included a cook book, holiday scented candles, lots of sweeties, movies, etc!! 

7. Full shot of my husband in Tights haha!!

8. Worlds greatest hair product!! --- seriously a life saver..

9. Williams-Sonoma pumpkin pecan bread --- most amazing thing you will ever taste!!

10. FINALLY --- Christmas decorations are out at HomeGoods!! --- I was a sucker and bought a little too many things yesterday!! 

I hope your October was as fun as ours!! 

and of course...

...BONJOUR NOVEMBER!!

Olivia

xx