Pumpkin Carving

After the traditional Lichty family visit to the local corn maze, we look forward to our opportunity at artistic expression: pumpkin carving. Invariably the desire for a wonderful idea is replaced by the inability of the carver, me, to transfer said idea to a beautiful side of the pumpkin. However, we try every year and someday it will be wonderful.

Isaac had a great time drawing a face on his. Bailey really wanted a "smiley" jack o'lantern. Camryn spent time drawing numerous concepts, and she had a great time. Jacob drew his prototype, and then the sharp-toothed, six-eyed menace appeared. Nobody was injured, and the pumpkins look presentable. We had a great time as a family.

We look forward to taking the kiddos out on Monday night to trick or treat and bring home the goodies. It will be wondeful to see our Jedis (Jacob and Bailey), Padme Amadala (Camryn) and Yoda (Isaac) as they wander around having a great time. Fortunately the weather should be pretty nice.

Have a wonderful Halloween everyone!

On a related note, I cannot wait until next weekend when I can start putting up the Christmas decorations for my favorite time of the year.

Jeff

Passed Court - Again!

Today we passed court, for the second time! Though this time in court didn't drastical change our lives like the first time we still praise God for His blessing. In August we started the paperwork with our lawyer to file for readoption in Idaho. Today we appeared before the judge about our filing. Jeff and I both testified about the adoption in Rwanda and our responsibilities as parents. It was a quick 10 minute hearing and now we have legal adoption documents from the US as well as Rwanda. We also had his name legally changed to Isaac during this procedure, which we are so excited about. It will be nice to be able to go to the doctor visits without stating his Rwandan name which no one can pronouce. We are now waiting on his US birth certificate with his new name to follow today's ruling. One more thing completed in this adoption process. We are so excited to have him officially a Lichty in name too. We went out tonight to celebrate at Cold Stone with some yummy ice cream - thank you Aunt Joanie & Uncle Gary!

Sheri

Corn Maze

This weekend we enjoyed the beautiful weather and ran out for our annual trip to a local farm for their corn maze and as Camryn calls it the "corn festival". We had such a good time and enjoyed everything, though Isaac often looked at us like we were the strangest people he had ever set eyes on, we might be.

We went through the maze, the 3 oldest taking turns choosing our turns, it was a long walk :)

We played at all the activities. The huge rocking chair

The cow train

The corn box

The swings

The giant pillow

Waiting for the pig races to start

The petting zoo

The hayride to the pumpkin patch where each of the kids picked their pumpkin to carve

Isaac's favorite was the cow train, he kept waving to us from all around the field

We had a lot of fun.

We breaked for a snack after all the walking through the corn

and Isaac loved his first taste of funnel cake!

We are really enjoying these fun traditions with all our kids, after the last 2 years waiting for Isaac to be home with us. We hope you are enjoying fall as well.

Sheri

Homework

Another one of the adjustments this fall. We have been getting used to the new routine with Isaac home and the big kids going back to school. But homework, more adjusting. Jacob and Camryn have more homework this year, of course, and with the little kids at home increased in number and energy it is harder to get homework done. Yesterday went pretty good, but it is certainly clear why homeschooling is not right for our family :)

I did get them all seated at the table to get started. Went perfect. They were able to work and it was nice and quiet for concentrating. Hopefully we will get a good routine down.

Jacob had science and math assignments, spelling list practice and a social studies test to study for.

Camryn had a math assignment and some reading practice.

Bailey is practicing writing her name as preparation for Kindergarten next year.

And Isaac did some coloring :)

So cute and productive! This lasted for 5 minutes, then we were back to the 2 little ones yelling as they played (in fun) and the older 2 begging for quiet so they could finish their work. That was yesterday, we'll see how it goes tonight, after swimming lessons :)

Sheri