the georgia aquarium

we spent the after christmas days through the new year with skot, christi, and tallulah in georgia.

the world's largest aquarium, with the world's largest fish: the whale shark!

gasp, a whale shark!

grouper with the family. a real nice "group" photo i must say.

is amalea in the tank with that brute?

and is amalea holding a sea cucumber?

yes, it was a merry christmas!

we spent christmas at the lakehouse...let the race begin!

amalea proved difficult to photograph due to her sheer speed this year.

amalea's top likes: sing-a-ma-jigs

and techy toys.

isabel's movements were full of grace as you can see.

isabel's top likes: a bow from amalea,

an ugly doll,

and a fashion fairytale barbie.

(fashion fairytale = isabel.)

the 2 girls under the tree.

big day, big prep

the days directly before christmas require much dedicated preparation.

one seriously enormous gingerbread girl cookie.

lego art. amalea and mom.

isabel's lego ship.

the view below a ship's anchor at a shark tank and treasure chest.

snow break. amalea enjoyed the thrill of sledding. isabel mostly munched on snow. we began the construction of a snow fort and left polar bear food (more to come...).

cookies for santa, frosted by isabel.

and by amalea. also many eaten by amalea.

"i'm fabulous" by isabel

1st snowfall of season and look who magically appears!

finally, a good snowfall. and with it, some good friends.

amalea the creative and her mini-snowman.

isabel just looking good!

woo-hoo, it's the waldron and warr girls downtown chicago in front of the ice-skating rink.

the millenium park bean with some warr and snow coating.

the girls and the tree at macy's.

goodbye turkey, hello santa and reindeer

a tryptophan inspired deep thought by amalea: "when isabel and i run around like this (shrieking joyfully and zipping about), we are zinged up!"

in portage, wi we happened upon a rather festive scene, santa and some of his reindeer.

dancer with isabel.

ho-ho-ho, it's mr. c himself and the naughty girls (amalea says nice girls).

the fam-fam with dasher and a random helpful elf.

rudolph with amalea.

isabel at dance

isabel is so pleased to be able to dance with shoes that make noise.

here she is up top.

and her tappity toes.

and all together now.