Merry Holidays to all!!
The lights are on, the decorations are up awaiting Santa’s arrival. We are ready for the holiday! I feel especially blessed his holiday season to have new two
additions to our family. Little Everley
Frances was born in 2011 and little Kyra Nicole arrived on the scene last
June. Their arrival has surely
brightened our life with joy and laughter.
Traditions are a “must” at our house. My hubby is one to Never put up a tree until
December rolls around. It was his hard
and fast rule. Funny, how his rule
instantly changed when those two little sweet-faced pumpkins arrived. Now, I
think our tree was the first in the neighborhood to go up, the day after Thanksgiving. Lights too and more than
we’ve ever had before. I don’t know who’s
happier, the kiddies or us.
My daughter and I usually do what we call our
mother/daughter “something Christmasy”.
Usually we attend a church play or a small theatre musical. This year we are seeing A Tigglemeister Christmas,
a musical for all ages.
We spend evenings baking and this year we’ll cook up my
mother’s “S” cookie recipe, which will now
change to “E” for Everley and “K” for Kyra cookies. We make homemade cannoli and throw together
peppermint bark too.
What are your holiday traditions? One
commenter today will win a copy of my January release, the first in the Rich,
Rugged Rancher series – SUNSET SURRENDER.
LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING
LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING
Wishing you a joyful season!
Charlene Sands
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"You don't belong here, Sophia."
Sophia Montrose
is no stranger to Sunset Ranch. Not after the scorching kiss Logan Slade
once shared with the alluring Spanish beauty in high school. Now she's
back—to claim a share of his family's Nevada spread. Logan wants to hate
her. After all, she's a Montrose.
Sophia hasn't forgotten that stolen moment with Logan—even if it was part of a cruel bet. Fifteen years later, she's staring into the rugged cowboy's cold black eyes…and determined to stand her ground. But will she lose her footing in the quicksand of their unquenchable love-hate passion?
Sophia hasn't forgotten that stolen moment with Logan—even if it was part of a cruel bet. Fifteen years later, she's staring into the rugged cowboy's cold black eyes…and determined to stand her ground. But will she lose her footing in the quicksand of their unquenchable love-hate passion?
Beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful family and Christmas memories. I know we all want to hold our families closer today.
ReplyDeletePeace, Julie
Charlene, I was immediately struck by how your family is growing. Those little girls will be best buddies as cousins growing up.
ReplyDeleteFunny how your husband's perspective has changed. Children really do add sparkle to Christmas.
Merry Christmas, my friend!
Charlene, we share the same name and the same love for western romance.
ReplyDeletecharraddon@pobox.com
Hi Liz - Thank you! And happy holidays to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Pam - You're so right, the family is growing. It happened fast, after years of waiting. I hope the girls will be close too. They already respond to each other. Merry Christmas to you and yours!! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteHi Charlene .. Yes, we do share the same name and spelling. I have a friend who spells it Charleene. Are you on Twitter? There's a CHARLENE profile for all the Charlenes. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - You are so right. I don't know anyone who isn't sick and greatly affected by the tragedy. My friend's grandkids all "Went" to that school, but have moved onto junior high, the community will never be the same So for right now, it's a time to embrace the ones we love for sure. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family. I am sure we will all hug our families a little tighter this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas tradidtions have changed over the years as families grow and move away but I am hoping to have them all together this year.
lorenc@huntel.net
Wishing you a happy Christmas with your beautiful family, Charlene. What sweet babies!
ReplyDeleteHi Lilsis
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your family together this season too. Happy Holidays!!
Charlene
Hi Elizabeth... Happy Holidays to you too! Yes, they are sweet little girls, making our holidays bright!
ReplyDeleteI loved the trees and your beautiful family, Charlene. Our Christmas tradition is to always go to the candlelight service at our church after eating dinner out on Christmas eve. Both kids are usually home from across the country by then, and we all look forward to our tradition.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas hugs coming your way.
Hi Lynne - Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and your family too. Oh, we used to do midnight mass on Christmas Eve, but now, I'm in bed before that!! Enjoy the service!!
ReplyDeleteThose little girls are super-cute! How wonderful to have a new generation to share in the holiday traditions. The tradition we look forward to the most is watching our little guy tear into the presents EARLY Christmas morning. At this stage, it hardly matters what gifts he receives ... he's all about the unwrapping.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking family, Charlene! Your holidays are going to be really fun.
ReplyDeleteOne of our family traditions is to have hot potato salad with our Christmas dinner. The recipe comes from my Dad's side of the family.
Another family tradition (when my daughter was young) was to let her open one present on Christmas Eve. It was always new pajamas so she'd look cute in Christmas morning photos.
Hi Samanthe - Oh wow, I remember those days. The kids would wake us up WAY early. Treasure those moments. Happy Holidays, Sam!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy...Oh I love your holiday tradition of letting your daughter open her gift of PJ's early! How fun, nothing like a new set to keep her cozy and warm. Happy Holidays!!
ReplyDeleteI love your trees, and the family picture is wonderful. Little ones make the holidays so special.
ReplyDeleteStockings are a huge part of our family tradition. My mom made them and when she passed away I took over the job as each new family member arrived. I even made them for my in-laws. We line them up on the couch on Christmas Eve because they're stuffed so full they'd never be able to hang. Any overflow from the stocking gets heaped around it on the couch. LOL
Marcy
bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com
Charlene, what a gorgeous family photo!
ReplyDeleteGiven I live in Australia (actually, Queensland, which is a northern state), our traditions often centre around staying cool. There will be swims in the pool (the beach is too crowded on Christmas day), lots of iceblocks and cool food.
But there will also be brightly wrapped presents, and Christmas carols playing and lots of family cheer. :)
The babies are so, so cute! Too many traditions to count. Our family definitely loves 'em too.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcy- Thanks for sharing your family traditons!! Oh wow, I have a great image of those overstuffed stockings!!
ReplyDeleteHi Maria.. Thanks, I think the babies are cuties too! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas. See you in the New Year!!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel...Oh, a warm Christmas for you! I love learning about holiday traditons from around the world. Thanks for sharing..hope you do stay cool We live in mild California, as you know, but it does get cold here, and we've been having rain. No white Christmas for us, unless we travel north to the mountains! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being my extra special guest, Charlene. Much love to you at Christmas and always. I'm so happy for you and those darling little grandbabies. I know how excited you were for their arrivals.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thanks so much Cher! It's always fun to be a part of your Christmas Tree tour!! Yay!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous family picture, Charlene! Those granddaughters of yours are darling! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDelete