Kimora Lee Simmons: "Family Is The Most Important Thing To Me"

Model turned Baby Phat CEO, Kimora Lee Simmons, and her gorgeous family - hubby Djimon Hounsou, their 6-month-old baby boy Kenzo and Kimora’s two daughters, Ming, 9, and Aoki, 7 - model for their first-ever holiday family portrait in their 40,000-square-foot Saddle River Mansion, one of the largest personal residences in the state of New Jersey. The beautiful family are featured in the next edition of Page Six magazine, free inside the New York Post on December 3.

On making time for her children: “My family is the most important thing to me. I’ve never missed any type of performance—not one recital, not one karate belt. If there’s a toe being tapped or a tune being whistled, I am there. We do everything together. I know we live a little bit of a different life, with all the running around and the TV show, so I want to make sure we’re even more grounded.”

On life with her new husband, and the rumors that their marriage is not legal: “We’re married. That’s all. It happened in Africa, in Benin. The girls were there, and we had a wonderful time. It was very calm, family-motivated and spiritual. Djimon and I enjoy discussing anything from politics to wine, and we have enriching, private, happy, balanced lives together. That’s probably the thing that would shock people most: We do things like go to the grocery store and have fun with our kids. We’re a normal family, doing the best we can.”

On being a self-made entrepreneur and independent woman: “It’s absolutely true! Do I need anything from [Djimon]?” No. I focus on my kids. I work my butt off. That might be one high-maintenance thing about me: My schedule is always crazy. So am I up and on the phone early in the morning? Yes. Is that sometimes annoying? Yes. But I hold my weight emotionally in a relationship. At times, sure, if you’re down and I’m up, and I can lend you a hand, or vice versa, great. I’m a very supportive partner.”

On hosting a traditional Christmas at home with her family: “I bake. I make a great German chocolate cake. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a great baker, the best. When I bake something, I swear to god, it’s gone before it hits the plate.”

Check out the exclusive video of the photo shoot here.