secret for success??

I'm on the quest for the perfect Christmas card picture, without much success. We tried on Saturday and she just wanted to run around in her dress, play with her halo and pull the background down. Here are a couple we caught, but they aren't Christmas card material, though they're funny!

I tried this morning with a different tactic. She did better because I gave her things to play with, but she was so enthralled with them that she didn't look up and smile!

These are the best I got, after cropping, but her hair is so messy that I don't want to use these. So we'll have to try another day.

It was lots easier last year! She was so happy with the ribbons and paper that she couldn't help but smile! I had a hard time choosing because there were so many good ones.

I guess the secret for success is to photograph a younger baby or older child! Since that's not the case, maybe success in this situation is to settle for imperfection!?