The most wonderful time of the year...

The entire Sikes-Edwards family had a fabulous Christmas this year! It's amazing how one season spent in not-so-ideal circumstances can change one's entire perspective on the hustle and bustle of Christmas. I was fortunate enough to get to spend lots of time before and after Christmas with my parents and sisters, and it was a common occurrence for one of us to be reminding another where we were this time last year to put the holiday stress in perspective!

Our Christmas week began with my birthday celebration in Memphis. The adult boys joined us for dinner, but Edie, Nanie, Sis-sis, and I took the kids on a trolley ride through downtown to The Peabody to see the decorations and ducks.













In between this trip to Memphis and Christmas was lots of playing (mostly in pajamas), lots of cookie-making, and several Christmas visits with friends!

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated at Nan's house with Nan and Uncle Rob. We went to our Candlelight service at church (which was dramatic with a communion juice spill and wax burn by Reese Ann- Praise the Lord for the nursery on Sunday mornings!), opened presents, ate lots of food, and just enjoyed being together!


the kids in front of Nan's tree


RA loving her new cat that she named "Meow"

After lots of Christmas fun, we headed back home to read the Christmas story from the book of Luke and put out cookies and milk for Santa.




Santa came to visit the Sikes house bringing each child three gifts like the wisemen brought Jesus three gifts.


heading down the stairs to check out what Santa brought!

The whole family came over for breakfast and to see what Santa brought the little ones! We are so blessed to have everyone in the same town especially at the holidays!


Uncle Rob being his usual super-uncle self!




Santa left Daddy lots of work to do with Cooper's Star Wars Legos, but thankfully he had his new workbench to make it easier!


I was determined to get this picture, but it literally took almost our entire family to get them to both look somewhat pleasant!


RA checking out her new bike!


and totally enjoying some Christmas morning Oreos!


Edwards family picture before heading over to Edie and G-Chip's house for the rest of Christmas day


no 4-wheelers for Christmas this year, but the boys did have fun playing on Uncle Eric's while the girls cooked and RA napped


both of the kids loving Cooper's cardboard pirate ship


the duck hunting game was the hit of the day!


baby alive provided lots of entertainment, too!

We are so thankful for family and good health this Christmas! After a quick trip this week back to Methodist hospital with Ashlie (for very routine tests), we were reminded even more of how blessed we truly are in so many ways. Happy New Year!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
-2 Corinthians 9:15