Special to the Item
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE —
The Warden family welcomes you to their festive home, where they look forward to sharing their Christ-centered Christmas with the community.
When you arrive at this two-story home located at 125 Twisted Oak in River Oaks, you will notice the simple manger and cross in the front yard. In fact, you will actually find a nativity scene in every room throughout the Wardens’ home that they have collected over the years.
The first thing that will catch your attention when you enter this home is the tall and beautiful traditional Christmas tree standing in the foyer. This tree is decorated with a variety of ornaments, each one representing a special person, place, or memory for the Warden family.
If you look to the right, you will see what they call “the piano room.” The Wardens are real music lovers, and it is here where Kristi teaches piano two days a week. You are certain to hear some beautiful Christmas music coming from this room during the pilgrimage. You will also notice a beautiful Christmas tree in this room graced with music-themed ornaments.
If you look to the left, you will see the dining room. Here the table is set elegantly with Lenox Holiday china. Kristi and her daughter, Brooke, love their hot tea, so you will notice the teacart in this room, adorned with different Christmas teapots.
A family with teenagers loves to spend time in the kitchen, and you can imagine that the kitchen in this house is a busy place. Some of their favorite holiday memories were born around this kitchen table, sharing a meal on the beautiful Nikko Christmastime dishes that Kristi puts to use each December.
The living room is a cozy place to relax next to a warm fire. You will certainly notice the hand made Christmas stockings hanging over the fireplace. These are precious heirlooms made by Kristi’s grandmother. Stacked next to the fireplace are the many favorite Christmas books that Keith and Kristi have enjoyed reading to their children through the years.
As you head upstairs, you will first come to the activity room. On any given weekend, you will normally find a group of teenagers hanging out together, but today you will enjoy another beautiful Christmas tree adorned with ornaments made by the Warden children during their elementary school years. Do not forget to take a look at the collection of Santa Claus figurines displayed on the bookshelves.
If you are a baseball fan, you will love son Brady’s room, because it is quite obvious that a baseball player resides here. From baseball caps to baseball pennants, you will get the full experience of America’s favorite pastime. Make sure you get a glimpse of the Christmas tree made from baseballs and a Louisville Slugger “trunk.”
Son Bryce’s room is a tribute to the importance of a college education and scholarships. As you admire the décor, you will immediately guess that Bryce is a student at Ole Miss, but you will also see reminders of his love for the Auburn Tigers. These are the souvenirs of a longtime fan that grew up in the state of Alabama.
Daughter Brooke’s room includes a lovely white Christmas tree with Brooke’s favorite colors. The tree is decorated with crosses as well as a world globe. Brooke also has a beautiful collection of American Girl dolls on display including doll dresses made by Brooke’s great-grandmother.
At the Wardens’ home, you will enter as guests and leave as friends. So as you depart by way of the back porch, we will say our farewells and hope that you have truly shared the beauty of Christmas.
