President Barack Obama and the first family have lit the national Christmas tree. And this time, his daughters Sasha and Malia remembered to smile. Flanking their father, their mother Michelle, and their maternal grandmother Marian Robinson, the teenagers beamed as they clustered around the light switch just feet away from the White House. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Joyful joyful! The entire first family looked full of Christmas spirit at the annual tree-lighting ceremony The big moment: Malia, 16, beamed out at the crowds and Sasha, 13, stared excitedly at the light-switch as their father told citizens to remember those on military service when they look at the tree, a symbol of hope
@highlight
President Barack Obama lit the tree outside White House with First Daughters, Michelle and Michelle's mother Marian Robinson
@highlight
Malia, 16, and Sasha, 13, looked cheerier than they did on Thanksgiving
@highlight
Obama said the tree is 'symbol of hope', urged people to think of soldiers
@highlight
Tom Hanks hosted the event, kissed Michelle on the cheek to celebrate
Support: The @placeholder girls were accused of failing to show their father support on Thanksgiving but their jovial attitude on Thursday night, walking arm-in-arm with their father, sent a clear message to their critics