The Making of Our Family Christmas Picture

If we were going to have a family Christmas picture this year it was up to me to get it done. I needed every ones cooperation of coarse and ask that they bring their best smiles but really its me - all me. ;0) Just joking here. Anyway, I used a little tripod that Lar had given me a couple of Christmases ago to take this picture. It has bendy legs so I can wrap it around a tree trunk or put it just about anywhere. On the way to church I announced that when we got home before everyone changed we would try to get a family photo. I set the tripod up on a fence opposite of us and set the timer. I had 10 seconds to run over and climb up on the fence and smile. After several tries I got my technique down and we ended up with a great picture. The kids enjoyed seeing me run for dear life. They know how I love a good picture. In the making of this picture I must thank Makayla for helping me up, Nick for always smiling, Alli for offering to help, and Lar for putting up with the whole mess. Merry Christmas and thank you my treasured family for the memories.

The First Day of Christmas Southern Style

Makayla and Nick aka Nan and Uncle Stan N Baum were in the Youth Christmas play this past Sunday evening. Makayla had the lead role and did just GREAT. The way that southern accent was just a flying you would never know she is a Yankee by birth. She has been raised in the South long enough to come by some of it naturally. The other was pure acting talent. She just can't hep it. I kept saying I can't hep it the rest of the evening and into the next day. Until Nan put the nix on it. Hep it - its just fun to say. This has been a great Christmas season and more fun is in store. Happy Birthday Jesus - Southern Style.

12 Days Til Christmas

I had been thinking of a New Tradition I wanted to start with the kids this year. Its called On the 12th day till Christmas my Momma gave to me... I thought this would be a fun way to count down the last few days of Christmas together. Each day we change the number as we count down. I put 12 little bags on the window sill and each morning when they come down for breakfast they can check the bag for a goodie. The first morning was a card telling of the idea and a little love note along with a snow globe. Nicks was a Charlie Brown snow globe that he really liked. We have been saying to each other for a couple years now Me- " your a good man Charlie Brown" to which he replys " your a good girl Lucile." So far they have gotten the snow globes, a baby picture from Christmas 1998 along with a couple choc. kisses, a small box of chocolates wrapped up. And this morning each received a coupon - Mak for Breakfast in bed, Nick - we will call him your Royal Highness and salute him for one whole day and Alli she has 1 hour where it is all about her! That was a big hit. They really like the snow on the windows to be sure. It does add a certain something to the whole thing. Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho Only 9 days.

These Three Jingle Bells Rock

Yes, these three put the Jingle in Lar and My bells. They are the Pb and J and Lar and I are the bread - we just go together. We Love them. Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. We Love them. Cute and Crazy and sometimes Cranky. We love them. Early in the Morning, Late at Night and Every time in Between. We love them. We offer up our Prayer of Thanksgiving to our Lord Above for these beautiful, healthy, wonderful kids. Merry Christmas to our three Jingle Bells - thanks for the memories and thank you very much for these GREAT pictures. Love you, Moma and Dad.

Merry Christmas Makayla

We raced home from school to get Makayla's pictures taken before I went to work. Clothes changed, "wear that hat you wore on Sunday you look so cute in it", and make up done. Out we go with Belle on our heels wanting to get in on the pictures. Makayla has such a beautiful easy smile to share with everyone. She had fun posing and she would say it was the easiest Christmas "photo shoot" we have ever had. Amen to that sista. She is a dear sweet girl and I enjoy her so much. Merry Christmas Makayla Girl!

Our own St. Nick

Nick, Nick, Nick - what joy you bring to this family. Along with alot of loud noises, and irritations to your sisters. Like always jumping out at Makayla and trying to scare her. But mostly joy. Nick is no new comer when it comes to pictures - he is a great photographer and has had I would say thousands of pictures taken of him these past years. St. Nicholas C. Lippert was born 14 years ago Dec. 26th. Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho.

Alli B's Bright Light

With the sun shining down after all the rain we knew it was time for Christmas pictures. Allsion has such a sparkle to her and fun spirit that you can see in those eyes of hers. We enjoyed taking the pictures together and she even put up with her crazy brother. She is a joy and truly loves the Christmas Season. She is celebrating her 12th Christmas this year.

Sunday School Christmas Party

It has been such a Blessing to be a part of Union Baptist Church. We joined earlier this year and our whole family is just so thankful for our new church family. When it was decided that we would have a Christmas party for my Sunday school class I was all to happy to volunteer our home. The decorating started even before Thanksgiving was over. This being our second Christmas here in Mississippi I wasn't sure were I should put everything. So I wanted plenty of time. Well on the day of the party, Sat. Dec. 5th, our whole family worked most of the day getting everything cleaned up and ready for our guests. Lar and Nick and Alli worked outside hanging even more Christmas lights and setting up a place for everyone to park. Makayla and I were busy cleaning (like you do when you have guests over) and baking goodies for the party. When the time came for everyone to get here. Nick stood outside with a flash light and guided everyone to their parking spot. The girls met our friends at the door and took their coats and gifts and food. After we ate we played the Newly Wed game. I think everyone enjoyed it - we had a ton of laughs over the answers thats for sure. Then we went on to the gift exchange and more games. It was a fun night and a great way to start the Christmas Season.

My Little Women and I

A dress was bought - an idea formed as I slept. After buying Makayla her beautiful dress Saturday we intended it to be a Christmas gift. She knew nothing of the dress - Alli and I found it together. When I woke up Sunday morning the first thing I thought was wouldn't it be fun for Alli and I to each get dresses and take our Christmas pictures in our new gowns. After church I told Lar what I was thinking and he was all for it. Makayla and Nick stayed at church all day practising for a program they were involved in Sunday night. So that left the three of us free to go back to the Street Fair - Makayla still unaware. Sunday evening right before bed I told Makayla to close her eyes and wait for me in the living room. Everyone watched as I came out with her dress and told her to open her eyes. She could not believe it was for her. We all tried on our dresses and I shared with Makayla my plan. She could hardly wait for the photo shoot. Then the best surprise ever - school was cancelled Monday because of Hurricane Ida ( we were not expecting much weather from it) so we considered it a Holiday - Ida Clair School is Out Holiday. The three girls and I dressed and did our makeup and hair in my bedroom and came out transformed. Nick was a real gentlemen and excellent photographer to spend the next couple hours with us taking these pictures. I have picked out a few of my favorites to share. This first picture I am talking to the girls as if I am Marmie from Little Women. I told Meg (Makayla) to take good care of the family while I was gone and told Jo (Alli) to treasure her hair as it was her one true beauty. She was horrified by that statement. She knew I was teasing - but we did have a good laugh over it. I kissed both Meg and Jo good night last night and breathed a prayer of Thanksgiving for My little women.

Makayla's Marvelous Day

For the love of Makayla this day was born. The idea, the storm, the dress - all were planned as her perfect body was being formed. As much as Alli and I enjoyed this day - and I am still smiling 24 hours later - this day will forever be on Makayla's heart. I believe I was in my late pregnancy with Makayla when I first watched Mr. Darcy and Pride and Prejudice. Kaylynn insisted I watched the first episode - knowing full well that there is no turning back. One of Makaylas best memories is staying up late and watching P and P with me eating those little pink and white frosted animal cookies. The little kids had been put to bed and Lar was out of town - it was just us two big girls together. Makayla is a true lady and has such a love for the Victorian era. When Alli and I found this dress Saturday morning we thought it was beautiful but didn't come home with it. We wanted to surprise Makayla but its hard to buy a dress of this Magnitude for someone. When I got home and told Lar about it he sent be right back down town to get it for her. Im so glad I did. Elegant, flowing and full of joy describes both Makayla and her dress.