Because I can’t just leave it at that, here are a few more of my favorites…

If you’re wondering about her baking outfit, I followed this pattern for the chef’s hat, and I made up the apron. I think she is the cutest thing my kitchen has ever seen.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Wow, I am so late on this post. But, it’s not quite Valentine’s Day yet, so I think I’m still good. Every year, I give the family homemade Christmas presents…here’s what was unwrapped in 2011:

All the kids (and Tim Minami, by request) got crocheted beanies. I made 2 monster beanies and 6 owl beanies…pretty sure it will be a while before I make another owl beanie…

Here is Carter, showing off his monster hat. It was his idea to climb the tree and hang upside down for me. He thought it would be appropriate.

The scary bat-monster face:

Lily on her perch, while hiking with Uncle Tim L.

“WHoooo WHooo…I got a owooh hat.”

Cute little Daphne in her owl beanie at Turtle Bay Exploration Park:

She got up close and personal with a real owl:

I think they were both feeling a little shy.

I didn’t get a chance to get higher quality pictures of some of the kiddos in their hats, but here’s an owl-y monster-y collage for ya:

Adam & Leanna | Olivia & Lily | Adam’s hat | Olivia in Leanna’s hat | Olivia

Kyle | Olivia in Leanna’s hat | Olivia, Lily, Carter, & Nana | Carter | Tim M.

For the adults, I decided to do something more simple, so they got Bakerella’s Cowboy Cookies in a jar (minus the nuts).

They also got a jar of Spiced Lentil & Basmati Rice Soup in a jar, with an accompanying can of coconut milk to finish off the recipe.

So, that’s it for the homemade Christmas gifts of 2011…I’m already trying to come up with ideas for 2012. I definitely want to start earlier this time.

I think the most fun was probably had in the Parrot Playhouse…

The birds loved Katie…a little too much. Thankfully bird poop comes off easily with baby wipes.

To the bat cave…

Carter compares his wingspan.

Lily’s wingspan.

Lily’s scary bat face.

Apparently, bats have good hearing. I think Heather looks like a natural with those ears.

We wandered around the park and saw some other animals too:

Nana and Olivia checking out  the animals. Something must have been amazing.

There were feathers to look at, but Lily thought that her own fingers were much more fascinating.

Daphne putting together a puzzle with some help from her mama.

Owls! I think they were both getting a little concerned about their close proximity to each other.

Watch out, Audrey: I think that fish is big enough to eat you for dinner.

And, that’s a wrap folks! …except for the obligatory family pictures, OBviously.

Cousins!

Cousins with parents! (Apparently, Lily thinks that she is a part of our little family. )

Cousins with parents and aunts and grandparents!

Olivia’s outfit was inspired by this sketch that Tim drew before Olivia was born. He showed me the drawing, and said, “Okay, now can you make that hat?” It’s been waiting to shine since before she was born, and her head is finally big enough! : )

She just started sitting up on her own, but she still leans to the side for balance most of the time.

She also just started crawling, and she’s getting faster every day. I can’t take my eyes off this girl for more than a second!

Our baby girl is getting so big!

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch kale
• 1 Tbsp. olive oi
• 1/2- 1 tsp sea salt
• Optional: other spices, such as cayenne pepper & chili powder

Step 1: Cut

Tear leaves from stalk. If you get any really big leaves, just tear them into smaller pieces.

It helps to have a cute assistant in a way-too-bright onesie.

Step 2: Coat

Coat the kale with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and sea salt to taste. I used about 1 tsp. salt, and I could’ve gone lighter. I made a small batch with cayenne and chili powder too, and I’m definitely going to do more like that next time.

Step 3: Cook

Spread the kale in a single layer on 2 cookie sheets. Bake in the oven at 250 degrees for approx. 35 minutes. They will come out nice and crispy!

The spicy chips: definitely doing a whole batch like this next time.

Give them a go! You might be surprised at how un-bitter-kale-like they taste.