Pumpkin Time!

Andy did a really good job at making a nice pumpkin patch for Lailah this year. Instead of doing it in our little garden he did it at his Grandmas house where there was plenty of room, and we had quite the turn out. Big ones, little ones, all kinds, even a few HUGE ones. Every week or so as they were growing we would take Lailah over to see their progress. She was pretty stoked when harvest day came. She thought it was pretty amazing to see Dada and Grandpa picking them and putting them into the back of the truck. She has been excited over the past month to have them on the porch and in the backyard, she pats them and hugs them, and sits on them - they are good buddies. She says pump most of the time, but every so often we get something closer to pumpkin. She's pretty much capable of saying anything that's only one syllable except for love - I just can't get her to say love ya. I think she knows how, she's just yankin' my chain.

Weekend at Palisades with Grandma and Grampa H‏

Oh man, am I behind on my blog posts! There have been a lot of goings on over the past few weeks, but I haven't gotten around to posting about them. I am working on it.

A few weekends ago Grandma and Grandpa H were 'camping' (if that's what you call it when you have a luxury motor-home) at Palisades. Andy had to head to Ogden and Salt Lake City for some Pinstriping projects, so Lailah and I made the trek down to see them. And oh boy, if that wasn't right what the little one needed. Water, Rocks, Grasshoppers, Dirt, Leaves, Ducks, a Playground, AND Grandma and Grandpa. The kid was in hog heaven - nevermind she had refused to take a nap that day, including on the long drive down there. (For a few days she thought it was a good idea to give up naps...little did she know it was so NOT a good idea. I am glad that she gave up on that one - we are back on nap schedule.)

Back to the task at hand - she had lots of fun. Grandpa gave her the best stroller ride of her life. Blasting from 0 to like 13 MPH in a nanosecond - twisting and turning, and making zooming noises, her little hands grasping the tray and smiles lit upon both their faces. Let's just say, any stroller ride she has had since then has been disappointing by way of excitement; I don't think anybody can do it quite like Grandpa Frank. 

The rest of our time there was spent checking out the water, playing with all the little twigs and mounds of leaves, discovering new things, some playground time and just being part of nature - Lailah's life force. And I don't say that lightly. My child is not having a good day if she doesn't get to spend at least a half hour outside. Last night she was so cranky because it had been cold all day and she hadn't gotten what she would consider to be an adequate amount of time outdoors. So I asked her "Lailah, why are you so cranky? Do you want to go outside?" "Side" she Said, "Side, Side. Mama Side" - well okay then. So we put on her puffy coat, some socks and shoes, and with one step out the door everything was all better in her world. She took off with her unique self-assured independence, and everything in the world was suddenly right. She stuck her hands in the cold mud, she patted then sat in the rain puddle laiden with dying leaves, she trogged through the grass, she said "moon" with her little finger pointed skyward to the crescent shaped oddity; crankiness eliminated. She was in her happy place. 

Rain or shine, cold or hot, Lailah is one with Nature. Kind of interesting considering [this post] and [this post] i had made before she was even born. After about 30 minutes, with rosey cheeks and chilled hands it was time to go inside for a bath. She said "bye bye", waved and blew her goodnight kiss to the outdoors - finally ready to settle inside for the evening. 

Indian Corn

A few weekends ago we took Lailah over to her Great Aunt and Uncle's house to pick some Indian Corn. She was so stoked to explore new terrain and check out all the cool colors the corn had to offer. She said hello to the horses, ate a couple of tomatoes, and found her first love, an oddball of a pumpkin, different from all the rest. Sticking out like a sore thumb this little pumpkin was white with orange stripes, calling out to Lailah above all the rest. She kneeled down and gave that ol' pumpkin a kiss and hug - it was love if I ever did see it.

Wendover

A couple of weekends ago Andy and I headed out to Wendover for a night. We aren't much for losing our money, so we spent a bunch of time at the historic airfield. Here are a bunch of pics:

On the way out there we stopped at the salt flats to take some pics and admire the oddness of the salt. I'd actually not ever stopped before; it was pretty amazing.

 

This guy was trying to take pictures of himself, so I went over and offered to take a few for him...we had passed him on the freeway riding his motorcycle - when he started talking I asked him where he was from...he was from Sweden and was very thankful for the help. In retrospect I wish I had asked him more questions, I bet he had an interesting story to tell.

 The sunset was quite gorgeous.

 These are pics from the view tower at the airfield...I am freakishly afraid of open heights, but I made myself climb this bastard, and I am so glad that I did. The textures, the old paint, the view...It really was quite cool.

 It's beautifully sad to see the state that some of the buildings are in.

 Welcome to Wendover!

 I LOVE nose art!

 And there she is...the Enola Gay Hangar. They have started restoring it - the side near the tower on the right is nearly finished...but to be honest, I like the old rusty version better.

 And when I woke up the next day, I thought I was on the planet mars...it was one of the most bizarre sunrises I have ever seen.

Friday's with Lailah 12 & 13

Friday's with Lailah episodes 12 and 13 were actually un-Friday's with Lailah because I had to work. =( But my mom caught a few pictures of Lailah and I on what would have been Friday with Lailah episode 12, and I caught a few on the way to work.

Fridays with Lailah - Episode 11 - Around the House

This past Friday with Lailah was a busy one. We went shopping for Andy's Birthday, went to the grocery store, and then spent the remainder of our day cooking and baking.

Lailah got a cold, and then I got a cold, and then Grandma got a cold, and mentioned that she wanted something with garlic to open her sinuses, so I made some garlic soup, and Andy said he wanted cookies for his Birthday, so I made Chocolate Chip. 

Lailah was a little trouper all day long and kept herself occupied playing close by. Every once in a while we would take a break to dance and laugh together...the best part of the day. And she had fun coloring on her Daddy's Birthday card...and herself...and the mirror. I love that she enjoys being artistic! I look forward to all her doodles and masterpieces. 

44-Clove Garlic Soup with Parmesan Cheese
Serves 4

26 garlic cloves (unpeeled)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
2 1/4 cups sliced onions
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
18 garlic cloves, peeled
3 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup whipping cream
Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 26 garlic cloves in small glass baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake until garlic is golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Cool. Squeeze garlic between fingertips to release cloves. Transfer cloves to small bowl.

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and thyme and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add roasted garlic and 18 raw garlic cloves and cook 3 minutes. Add chicken stock; cover and simmer until garlic is very tender, about 20 minutes. Working in small batches, puree soup in blender until smooth.(I used an immersion blender, much easier, less dangerous, go get one!) Return soup to saucepan; add cream and bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. 

Divide grated cheese among 4 bowls and ladle soup over.

Friday’s with Lailah - Episode 10

Lailah and I went to the park for some time with nature this Friday. Sticks – Check, Dirt – Check, Birds – Check, Ducks – Check, Rocks – Check, Tiny Acorns – Check; Let’s just say all the things that make Lailah the happiest. She had a lot of fun, and held tight to two little acorns the entire time we were there.  She was in her element.