The rest of the pumpkins!

So, we finally carved the other pumpkins that we got at the pumpkin patch. James carved one will all of our names on it with no help! It was really neat! We should explain that James has been asking everyone to call him "JEVS" (pronounced Jeeves like the online butler). Jake and I called him that when we were pregnant because we weren't sure what his name was going to be, but both names we were considering had the initials "JEV", thus Jeeves. His teacher at school even calls him Jeeves sometimes!

Jake printed a stencil off the internet to carve the other pumpkin, but ended up free-handing it with great results.

With my lack of artistic talent, I watched and roasted pumpkin seeds. And tried to keep Jack out of all the pumpkin guts.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

5 Crazy Quirks

Well, a while back I did 101 things about myself. Recently my sister Heidi tagged me to do 5 crazy quirks. So, if you read my 101, you don't need to read any further! But if you didn't and want to know a little more about me, here they are:
1. I really truly LOVE to read. I read all the time. I'm always looking for good books. If I can't find a new good book, I'll re-read one of my old favorites. Some of my favorites, like Pride and Prejudice, I have read so many times I have nearly committed them to memory. I also am usually reading several books at a time. I have a "main" book, but usually have some "lighter" reading when I want something that I don't have to read so intensely.
2. I'm obsessed with food magazines. I currently get 2--Saveur and Better Homes and Gardens (I like the home stuff, but I like the recipes better). James's school just did a fund raiser with magazine sales and I ordered 2 more-Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazine. Of all of these, Saveur is my FAVORITE.
3. Running is really my sanity. I am a better person when I run consistently. I don't do it because I feel I should (which is what I used to do when I was younger!), but I do it because I love it and I love the way it makes me feel. It's some of the rare "me" time that I get in my busy crazy life.
4. I really am trying to learn to "enjoy the journey". A lot of my life I have spent looking forward to things that were at some future date. This is fun in a way-anticipation is a great emotion. But in the long run you can't wish or wait your life away. Jake has been great to help me to appreciate all the little things that happen every day that are funny or interesting. I am also trying to savor all the days I have with my kids as they seem to grow way too fast.
5. Cooking is my passion. I love trying new recipes. I love finding great new recipes. I like the art of trying to make something turn out (although I've found that in order to make it truly turn out well you have to make it more than once-usually many times!). I also love to watch people enjoy my cooking. It's one of the more satisfying things in my life when I succeed in making a great meal that everyone enjoys.

Halloween Preview . . .

Leominster had a Halloween parade today. All the kids can dress in their costumes and walk in the parade, then there is trick-or-treating at the downtown businesses. It was really fun. Walgreen's "treat" was a free photo of the kids in their costumes. I'm sure we'll have lots more Halloween photos to post next weekend, but here's a preview of our toothless Jedi and mini-Yoda. Enjoy!

James and His Pumpkin

Its amazing the resemblence.

Fall

James Is Speaking. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth. Hi! This Is James, I Lost Four Teeth! I Carved A Pumpkin With A Tongue And
Flashes Coming Down From His Head!

If we had a girl . . .

Please don't consider this any kind of announcement!

My sister Melissa found this funny website, www.makemebabies.com, where you put in pictures of you and your spouse and it makes a picture of what your future child might look like. Their baby looked a little scary, so we thought it would be funny to see what a girl of ours would look like. It shocked us by being very cute.
Uh-oh. We thought we might be done having kids. Who knows . . . ?!

Apples Apples Apples . . .

Well, the boys and I had such a great time apple-picking that we now have an overabundance of apples. So, we're putting apples in just about everything so they won't go to waste!
We tried this recipe this morning and LOVED it, so I thought we'd share it. Enjoy . . .

Apple Syrup with Toasted Pecans
3 1/2 T butter (divided)
3 sweet apples, peeled, chopped into 3/4" pieces
pinch table salt
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup maple syrup (regular syrup is fine)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 cup toasted pecans

Melt 1 1/2 T butter in large skillet over med-high heat. Add apples and cook until tender and browning, 7-9 min. Stir in cider and cook until liquid is almost evaporated, 6-8 min. Add syrup and cook until thickened, 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla, lemon juice, and remaining 2 T butter. Serve with your favorite pancakes and the toasted pecans on the side. YUM!

Applesauce and James' Third Tooth

Becky went apple picking and spent the day making applesauce.

James lost his front tooth.

Jars and Jars
and Jars and Jars
and the Job Cleaned Up
Missing his Left Front Tooth

Man Tag! Pass it on . . .

Well, my sister Heidi tagged me, so I get to answer these questions about my great hubby. I love this idea because in all the craziness with kids, it's fun to remember how much you love being a couple.
And before I start (since Kim did it, I get to also!) I just want to say how much I love my Jake and appreciate him. He has had a lot to juggle in the years of Medical School, Residency, and Fellowship. I know it stresses him out sometimes. But he does a great job of taking care of me and the kids. He has never failed to make me feel good about myself by his unconditional love and no matter how hard times are he can always make me laugh . . .

What is your husbands name? Jake Doyle Veigel
How long have you been married? It will be 11 years in December. How time flies . . .
How long did you date? We knew each other (as friends) for 4 years. When he came back from his mission, we dated 3 months, then were engaged for 3 months.
How old is he? 32
Who eats more sweets? Definitely ME!

Who said I love you first? Jake (and I swear I said it right back, but Jake says I left him hanging . . . someday we'll know who's right!)
Who is taller? Jake, by (barely!) a 1/2 inch
Who can sing the best? Me, but only because I've had lots of musical training. I really like Jake's voice and always tell him he can sing well if he practices.
Who is smarter? Totally Jake. I don't even know most of what he has in his brain from medical school, residency training, medical journals, etc. Although, when it comes to literature and vocabulary, I'm tops!
Who does the laundry? Me, and I don't mind. I like to fold clean laundry.
Who pays the bills? I have for most of our marriage, but with my crazy Jack, I haven't had time to keep up with it lately, so Jake has taken over our finances--YAY!

Who mows the lawn? Well, the landscaping company for our rental, but when we had our house, I mowed. Jake mowed the lawn twice when I got too pregnant and the neighbors started giving him a hard time. But, to Jake's credit, I actually REALLY like to mow the lawn.
Who cooks dinner? Me! But Jake grills!
Who drives? Mostly Jake, but sometimes me.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Jake is definitely better than I am at this. But, I think I've gotten better over 11 years!

Who kissed who first? Jake. The day of his missionary homecoming. He didn't waste any time! Much to my delight . . .
Who asked who out first? Jake did. While he was still on his mission. Although, in high school I asked him for help in AP Chem and that's how we started to get to know each other.
Who wears the pants? Jake, but I think we're pretty much on the same page after being together for so long :)

The rules for this tag: answer questions about your spouse, list names of people you are tagging in your post, then leave a comment on their blog letting them know they've been tagged. I'm tagging my sister Melis, cousin Tiff, and friend Myndie. Look forward to your posts!

A Visit from Parents and Lynn--Day 3

Day 3 we went to Cambridge to Harvard Square and Boston to see Bunker Hill, USS Constitution, Little Italy, the Old North Church, Paul Revere's House, and Fanueil Hall.

The Folks Holding Hands
Statue at Harvard. There is something special about touching his foot. Maybe James will go to Harvard now.
Harvard Library
A Minute-Men Orchestral Prerformance
Boston Skyline from atop the 294 step climb at Bunker Hill
Exhausted from all the Fun. Ready to get on the train to go home.

A Visit from Parents and Lynn--Day 2

So on Day 2 we went to Newport, Rhode Island. It was the coolest place I have ever been. If you had tons of money to spend 3-5 days with just your wife this would be the place. I plan on doing a second honeymoon here with Becky in some years from now.

Just a taste of the shops in Newport
There is a walk on the cliffs with the ocean on one side and mansions on the other.
Another Mansion
We found this old stone thing that James liked to slide down.
Some rocky cliffs for Jack to play on.
The more James is on the Ocean the more he looks like Popeye
Another Mansion
The walk with some smaller mansions in the background.
This was my favorite mansion.

All the mansions had tours which we didn't do due to time and money, but perhaps one day.

A Visit from Parents and Lynn--Day 1

So on Day 1 of the weekend with the Folks and the Jenks we drove to Vermont to Sharon were Joseph smith was born. The drive was absolutely beautiful with the leaves changing. We also stopped by a glass blowing and pottery store which sold stunning glasswork and tableware. It was situated on a waterfall and was fun to see vintage New England Solomon Mack Home/Cellar Ruins
An Old Stone bridge near the Joseph Smith Sr homestead

This is the waterfall right by a cool covered bridge

This is the road to the Joseph Smith Monument and the monument is below.