We arose Christmas morning at 6:50am (the Ortlings must be growing up :) . . . they slept in a bit :)!! Stockings were a big hit to entertain until we could get Daddy out of bed!! Keith and Jacob looked like they would spend all day sorting their various football and baseball cards (but once presents begun to be opened they were distracted for a time). Kara had fun dressing her Barbies in new clothes, and Simon played a game of pick up sticks, his own way. Thanks Grandmother Betty for the cozy new jammies!! They all slept snug at their sleepover in the living room after tracking Santa's trek on the internet and touring the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights!

After dinner provided everyone with super powers, presents provided Jaiden with weaponry, there ensued a most incredible Christmas Eve Nerf battle. Jaiden was nice enough to share some of his new guns, Keith pulled out the mega blaster from our Nerf armory, and there was a serious battle!

Christmas Eve, Collin, his mom, and his big "bubby", Jaiden came to have dinner with us! It was a wonderful treat! Collin had multiple helpers unwrapping his gifts from us and Gran and PopPop & Kathy (thanks!). We also hope to have them join us for a few times swimming at the local gym (a membership was a grandparent Christmas gift to us - THANKS :).

Kara had lots of sweet hugs to share on her birthday! Kim was also visiting from Colorado and was able to come have a sleepover and go out to eat and swimming with us! We had a wonderful special couple of days celebrating!

Our Kara Lin is 6! We just can't believe it! She decorated her own cake with every sprinkle we had in the baking cupboard! Yummy!

Birthday Girl! She's been dreaming of having a baby girl sleeping at the end of her bed :)... this will have to do for now.

Simon has been super puzzle man lately, so when it came time to put together our annual family Christmas puzzle (such a treasure - graduated pieces - hard little pieces on one side gradually growing to larger pieces on the opposite side), he was thrilled! Jacob, by far, had the longest attention span, so he and Simon helped Jeff put the last pieces in! It now sits under our table's center piece (sometimes panicking Mom at the threat of drinks spilling :). Doesn't it make you want to do the Charlie Brown dance? (doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo . . . doo, doo, doo, doo . . .)

A couple of weeks ago, the Ort clan spent days taking turns being sick. During this spell, "Santa G" and "Santa Jeff" (the Cormier boys) surprised us by leaving a Christmas tree outside our front door! They're SUPER! After recovering from our mysterious virus, we had fun decorating! Keith and Jacob even dressed in their Uncle Scott shirt pjs for the occassion :)! Now, Jeff's able to play endless rounds of the kids favorite Christmas game - Christmas tree I Spy! It is amazing how long this game keeps them entertained :)!

Sweet little Collin will return to live with his mom, today. We are excited for the opportunity God gave us to love on this little guy for awhile and for the opportunity he now has to be reunited with his mom! It makes us smile to see the interest he's developed in one of our favorite hobbies, reading :)! He even made an attempt to enjoy Jeff and I's favorite drink, coffee :), but got intercepted before he figured out how to unscrew the lid! We do hope to have ongoing contact with Collin and his sweet mom. Simon will miss his roommate, Keith and Jacob will miss their new wrestling recruit, Kara will miss her other follower . . . we will miss you, sweet man, but are so grateful for God's work in all the details of life for you!!

Last Saturday, the Ortlings decided to form a garage band. Keith and Jacob have begun their "Techie" after school program with Mrs. Sinclair, again, and last week, Keith had done some work on a computer program where you create your own "garage band" songs. Kara wanted to do a REAL life garage band, and her brothers thought that was a fantastic plan. Jacob helped Simon create some "drums" and Keith and Kara worked on supporting her "stage". As you can tell, they are very skilled musicians . . . very enthusiastic, anyway!
Good thing they are in gear with such indoor fun since the snow has hit! We expect 4 or more inches in the next few days!! Good fun outside for a little while, but then you've got to come in and warm up! Grateful for a heated garage, so the new formed band can continue to rehearse.