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.

Last week, Kara got to check out and bring home her very first school library book! She was SO very proud! It was a fun one, too, because all the pictures had been taken at Vero Beach where Uncle Dennis & Aunt Maricia live (along with baby Andrew & Derek, Michael, & Amanda) and near Mema & Art. We've played at that beach several times!

We had a super fun time at the Cormier's Halloween Party. Simon and Jacob started off the family costume idea by saying they both wanted to be football players. Collin's mom had sent one for him to wear, too, and Kara and Keith decided they both wanted to be cheerleaders. Kara already had a costume and made her own matching pom-poms. Keith wanted to be a GIRL cheerleader, so we invented his outfit - jersey skirt of Kara's, tank with CHEER ironed on, blond haired headband, and tube socks :). Jeff and I felt we could join the group easily as the refs, so our neighbor loaned us 2 of her white pre-tiedyed shirts and Jeff spent over an hour detailing them with electrical tape :)!

During their day off, the kids also all got involved in playing "The Bachelorette". First of all, I'm still a bit confused by how they knew what this was, but Keith and Garrett dressed and prepared Kara and Simon for this "show". They even brought them to the kitchen for a "date". I then followed them (I gave myself the job of photographer) outside where the big boys coached Simon on how to propose while the neighbor girl helped Kara make a bouquet and put flowers in her hair! Simon did great, Kara looked lovely, and then they all enjoyed blaring music from the garage for the party and wedding celebration! I must say, I was VERY entertained!

The other day the kids had a couple of days off of school for teacher training. I always prayed my house would be the place the neighborhood kids would want to hang out . . . God answered that prayer and everyone had a super time! You should have seen my lovely driveway chalk decore! Garrett also joined the crowd and had prepared everyone that it was "Picture Day", like they'd just had at school. Hope you're not disappointed, but I chose not to include Jeff and I's photos :)!

Soccer, football . . . even fantasy football has been the fun things to follow lately. The boys (esp. Keith and Jacob) are having fun filling Mom in on all the plays, rules, etc. they've learned from watching with Dad :)! Jacob even invented his own "fantasy football" league with his football cards.