Lyla in her vintage holiday attire.
SHE IS UNDENIABLY CUTE. Little Lyla Noel, born at 11:45 pm on the last day of Christmas nearly three years ago. That would be January 5.
Saturday afternoon she charmed folks in downtown Faribault with her lovely holiday attire. I first glimpsed this darling preschooler as my husband turned our car onto Central Avenue while searching for a parking spot. Flash of a red velvet cape draped over wee shoulders. Red and white fur hat cradling her head. Arms tucked inside a snow white muff.
By the time we’d parked, Lyla had disappeared. Poof, just like that. Disappointment washed over me. Still, I could photograph the horse-drawn Santa’s Wagon clopping down the avenue. Perhaps Lyla and her mom would emerge later from wherever they’d gone.
That’s Lyla’s mom in the hot pink jacket. Lyla is seated to her right.
But they didn’t…until my husband and I were exiting downtown. Then I spotted Lyla with her mom in the wagon, traveling the opposite direction. Eventually, we caught up and I leapt from the car just as the pair dismounted.
After a ride through downtown Faribault in a horse-drawn wagon, Lyla and her mom exited by the KC Hall.
I was giddy, especially when Mom allowed me to photograph the little girl she hoped would be born within the framework of Christmas. She beat the clock by 15 minutes.
Mom coaxed Lyla to stuff her hands inside her muff and pose for numerous photos.
On this Saturday in my southeastern Minnesota city, sweet Lyla Noel caused admirers to pause outside the Knights of Columbus Hall and gush over her cuteness. She was adorable in her vintage holiday garb purchased by an aunt.
Lyla models for admirers.
Likewise, Lyla charmed customers at HyVee Grocery Store the day prior when she and her mom rang bells for the Salvation Army. I can only imagine. How wonderful that this mother is teaching her daughter, at a young age, the joy of volunteering, of helping others in a season when we all really need to slow down and delight in the sweetness of an almost three-year-old.
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Check back tomorrow to read about my experience ringing bells for the Salvation Army.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Oh, for cute!
Excellent Minnesota response. However, you may have misspelled “for.” I believe you meant to type “fer.”
I stand corrected. 🙂
I thought so.
Right from a vintage Christmas card……..’til one looks down to observe her wonderfully pink “today” shoes!!! LOL!!!! Luv!! Her name says it all!!
I know, such a contrast of vintage and modern.
Exactly…..and she’s such a cutie!!!!
Thank you Audrey for this beautiful sharing of our fun day! I can’t wait to show Lyla Noel!
You are welcome, Brenda. Thank you for allowing me to share your beautiful daughter’s portraits with others. She is a sweetheart.
I especially love the shoes that complete the ensemble. 🙂 What a cutie.
I know. They’re perfect, aren’t they?
Kids are so much FUN at this age – Great Captures 🙂 Happy Day – Enjoy!
I agree. So much fun!
Lyla must have been having some fun too as she is constantly smiling or perhaps mom was a good coach!
Either way it looks like a good way to spend a Saturday in Faribault!
Both.
I kid you not, the horse carriage ride was a surprise for Lyla and during the ride she kept leaning into me and telling me, “Thank you Mommy, I love this!”
Oh, Brenda, thank you for sharing that quote. You’ve just added another dose of sweetness to this story.
The whole outfit is fantastic! It is very understandable that she is in non-stop smile mode! Did someone make the costume for Lyla?
Nope, it’s a vintage costume purchased for her by an aunt.
The very face of innocence and hope!! Beautiful.
Indeed.
OMG how cute is this child! The outfit reminds me of one I had growing up. My grandma loved to make me hats and hand muffs.
Lyla is a cutie, isn’t she? So glad I could bring back memories for you. I, too, had a muff as a child, but not one this large. Mine was store-bought and a Christmas gift.
What a doll! I miss having little ones to dress up. Of course, my children didn’t always cooperate/dress appropriately. One year when our daughter was about Lyla’s age, she wore her Halloween devil horns to Wal-Mart. Which would have been okay, except it was Christmas time. One nice man said, “Oh, she’s a reindeer.” Yeah, something like that.
What a funny story about your daughter. Yes, a reindeer, good Sir.
How precious!!!
“Precious” is the perfect adjective.