More snowy fun while we visited the ice-fishermen.

Jacob's class had their 4th grade ice-fishing outing today. They were using camp's lake, so it's always fun to enjoy it in such a frozen season! It was an intensely foggy day. As we neared camp on the highway, however, it cleared enough to see the gorgeous mountain range! It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon. Jeff was up skiing with the Lighthouse crew, so I ventured down with the 2 little girls and Simon. We were there to make a very quick appearance. I was SO grateful that our good friend, Jeff, was there to help Simon down the slippery slope down to the lakefront while I encouraged the very independent, Danielle :)! Jacob was a bit uncertain, at first, at baiting the hook with the maggots, but hopefully, after I left he got braver. He reported catching 3 "dead fish". We're a bit uncertain about that, but maybe they had been caught and thrown back, then floated toward his hole?? He seemed to really enjoy the special camera they were able to look through to see the fish under the ice.

Our new "helpers" at Friday Night Out did a great job staying entertained while we all helped others :)! We are grateful for Karlina's stopping in just in time to feed Chloe her bottle and for the fun Cormier family who keep our kids and our F.N.O friends smiling!

One of the first days the girls were with us, Kara brought out a doll to share with Danielle. She didn't seem to grasp how to play with the baby doll. Kara and I talked about how this could be her special task to teach Danielle how to play. Well, she picked it up quick :)! I was almost crying as I clicked the camera watching her play. SO sweet!

Hard to believe our Keith turned 11 this past week! We spread the fun out over a few days . . . cheesecake, presents, and then dinner out at IHOP! Thanks, Uncle Scott, for the heads up that they now serve cheesecake pancakes! We are so proud of the kind man Keith is growing to be!

We continue to have some sweet happy moments with Chloe and Danielle. Simon and the little girls and I went to a playgroup at the Child Development Center (this is who Jeff works through when he meets one on one with guys with disabilities). Danielle is receiving services from them, and we're all encouraged already by all the things she's picking up SO quickly! She's like a little sponge :)! Today, she was putting on a big happy face with a twinkle in her eye to repeat, "HI!", whenever anyone else said that to her! The theme at playgroup that day was SNOW. Simon and Danielle loved the pool filled with "snow" (packing peanuts) and the snow songs. Jacob and Keith are quite taken by these little gals. Jacob even had a dancing session with Chloe. As expected, Kara is enjoying being a little mommy. She does feel sad when Chloe cries, but we're explaining to she and Simon that this is how babies talk and tell us what they need. Hard concepts for young minds.

Hard to catch the sweet new cuties that have joined our family :)! They are often on the move or being cuddled or Mom's hands are busy doing something other than holding a camera, but here's a few shots we took this week. Danielle and Chloe came to add girl power to the Ort home last Wednesday. Danielle is 18 months old and Chloe is 3 months old. They are so very content and are loving all the big kid entertainment and attention. I'm fairly certain they have even melted the already sweet soft hearts of the oldest Ortling boys. Friends swooped in fast to provide us with all kinds of baby supplies and girl clothes to which we are SO thankful!! Kara and I had been praying God would bring a girl for us to care for and he gave us TWO :)! Several folks have already noted we're like the Brady's now. Kara likes to point out that if you count our dog, Hazel, there are now MORE girls than boys. After their arrival on Wednesday, I came down with a full case of strep throat. It was recognized early, though, so antibiotics worked fast! I'm praising the Lord that no one else has caught it yet! Jeff was SUPER dad on those first few days the girls were here (well, he is everyday, of course, but was working overtime then :). They are really adjusting great and sleeping wonderfully! Well, normally sleeping wonderfully, one's awake now. Blog time is done :)!

There was quite a theme in boy gifts this year - LEGO! Even Simon is getting initiated into the fun with his new Lego race car game. Yesterday, everyone worked hard to take down Christmas decore, and during breaks finished building on some very cool projects. We now have a lovely new centerpiece!

Every year Jeff (I mean, Santa) puts together a scavenger hunt for the Ortlings (sometimes Mommy, too) to find a final special gift on Christmas day. This year each hint went like this, "If the Ortlings will all perform said task , they will receive further instructions." A few of their tasks were - ice skate around the kitchen island, sing a Christmas carol in the living room, make a snowball (more an iceball) & throw it at the house, go to Kara's room and pose for a photo for their Mom, beg their father for further instructions (then, not good enough, try again :), sit at the table and thank God for sending Jesus as our Savior, give their Mom a kiss and tell her how she rocks, . . . It is always sweet and entertaining :)! At the end of their hunt, they each found something great. You can see Kara's sweet response to what she will get in a few weeks - a combo birthday & Christmas gift - a big dollhouse (they were out of stock, so her final gift was a hint to look on the computer). We are blessed by our kids and their grateful hearts and for the many loving family members and supporters who encourage us through even providing for those "wants" on our lists!