the girls and the trees

here's the yearly under the tree shot taken today. yes, those wide-open mouths were emitting various high-pitched squeals.

here is the photo from last year (which was taken on the 30th as well, pretty nifty). both remarkably snugglyish. isabel was yikes big-eyed from the camera flash here though. 

this is amalea decorating the little tree on the day after thanksgiving. she's really wrapped up in the work as you can see. does the tree or amalea have more garland on it? speaking of trees, amalea saw a tree farm during our travels on thanksgiving where the trees were all within a fenced off area. her voice had a hint of sympathy in it as she said, "those trees are captured."

now, here is isabel and her famous "cheese" pose while lending a hand in the entire tree building process. she always says cheese when you pull out a camera. how appropriate that she has a slice of cheese in her hands. 

the fully decorated little tree. amalea wanted to see mom's doll collection, and then came across her own set of porcelain dolls for a themed christmas tree. so she immediately had to go about getting this tree to become a reality. dad took her out to pick out the perfect little tree (and the golden garland as seen above). here is amalea's masterpiece set up in her room. she ecstatically exclaimed, "now i don't need my night light!"