Today we went hunting for our Christmas tree. It wasn't too cold, and we even got to the national forest before the snow :)! Will we have snow this year???? The big brothers were a great help stomping down brush for Kara to be able to "hunt" and entertaining Simon while Dad tied on the tree and Mom took Hazel for a walk. Jacob even helped Jeff cut the tree, and Keith helped haul it out of the forest! Wow, their growing up :)! It's been so nice to have the boys home from school for a few days :)! As we ate a little "picnic" lunch, Keith wanted us all to go around and share compliments (something he had done at school in his class). We went from youngest to oldest - (Jeff spoke for Simon) Simon "said" Kara was a good helper doing dishes and helping cook with Mom. Kara said she likes when Jacob plays with her. Jacob complimented Keith on being a good big brother and that he's nice to him when they play Jet Motto 2 (a new favorite video game :). Keith said he likes Mom's dinners. Mom then shared how grateful she was that God had put Daddy in our family - he makes us smile and laugh SO much. Dad finished up our compliment session by telling Simon that he was a fun & tough guy :)! I'm so glad to be part of this fun family :)!

We had our Thanksgiving festivities with our dear friends, the Cormiers. Garrett (their 8 yr old) wanted us all to dress up for the meal. All the boys (including Dads) were to dress as Indians, and all the girls (moms, too) were to be pilgrims. Kara was a cross between the two for most of the day :)! We had loads of fun cooking the feast and all very much enjoyed the eating of it all :)! We're grateful for the special friends God has given us!

The ultimate "Ladies Man" - see below for evidence (this is the fam's favorite hand me down shirt from one of Keith's teachers:)!


Kara is proud . . . she's training him well :)!

Fall has been beautiful here. Kara (and Simon and Mommy) had a playdate in the leaves with Adiryn and her mom, Sara, last week. I noticed this morning taking the kids to school that we may be passed the "pretty" fall days. It's been rainy (and even snowed) yesterday, so all the leaves seemed to have shrivelled up. I did enjoy the loveliness of fall while it lasted.

Kara playing photographer. She's not bad :)! Of course, I didn't put on the "washed out mommy" picture or the multiple pictures of the dress up box, but practice makes great!!!

Kara and her friend, Adiryn, playing dress up.

We've been enjoying having some family time in the evenings to read, pray, and sing. Jacob loves to read the Bible story for us.

The Ortlings added to the fun commotion of downtown Bigfork trick or treating and the Cormier's (Jeff Cormier is holding little leopard Simon on the hunt for CANDY) wild and spooky Halloween party yesterday! Kara even got approached by the local paper's photographer, but she was a bit grumpy and wouldn't smile. So much for her front page debut :)! Keith, Jacob, and Garrett (of the Cormier clan, too) loved all the Star Wars characters downtown. There were little boys EVERYWHERE with their light sabers (even a few fun-loving "sword" fights in the alley :).