Putting up the (fake) tree

Anyone who knows us knows that we love to go on a Christmas tree hunt adventure the first weekend in December. However, this year, with half of our numbers suffering from the stomach flu and amazingly frigid outdoor temperatures, we succombed to the convenience factor offered by the 5-second assembly of, yes, that's right, the artificial Christmas tree.

Mom says that any "tree" that comes in three parts that hinge together, with lights already attached, is, well, not deserving of the word. Dad says that this artificial tree is a god-send that does not cause him to break out in hives anywhere his skin comes into contact with evergreen needles (yep, he's allergic).