Oh Christmas Tree...a bit late.

This past Christmas we spent in Amarillo at Gia and Pop Pop's house with HEBI Family (now that all the girls are married are family name has evolved to this). Being the first HEBI Christmas in Amarillo Gia and Pop Pop went all out and got a real tree! Now I know you Northern folk have your way of picking out a Christmas tree and all. You know, tromping around in a beautiful snow covered hills with sun glistening off the lightly dusted evergreens. And when you find your jewel, chopping it down like a true lumber jack and dragging it back to you log cabin and sipping hot chocolate as you lace a pop corn garland to trim that tanenbaum.

Well, down here, were we take great pride in calling Mesquite a tree, we do things a little differently.

Yup, we load up all the kin in the gas guzzling, move out of my way, I'm bigger than you SUVs and head to the Home Depot.

We braved the frigged 45 degree Garden Center,

and then weave through the trees hung up by string to find the one to call our own.

Make sure those bottom branches are sturdy! They'll hold all the ornaments this year.

Found one!

Great, slap that puppy on a flat bed and lets get her home.

Checking out the wheel base.

A bit confused on which item is actually making its way back to Gia and Pop Pop's.

Sprucing up the Spruce.

You asked just how many HEBI's does it take to properly adjust and tighten the old evergreen; one Pop Pop, three grand kids on the floor to impeded, two daughters to laugh, direct and poke fun and two more grand kids in arms to fuss in protest for being impeded in their own progress of thoroughly examining the winter tree inside.

Bust out the liquor, jingle bells and ornaments...it's time to decorate!

Peter hung all the high ornaments.

Time for the star...almost

a little farther.

Nope, too floppy!

Now we're talking!

And that is how the HEBI Family picks out and decorates the most beloved tree!