New Year's Eve Part Dos

I bought these Chinese Lanterns years ago...we had set one off when Hali left on her mission, but we decided this was the year! 

They are pretty ginormous.  

Usually on New Year's Day we make Mochi, but since most of us have a hard time staying up until Midnight anyway, we decided to make them so we could make it to New Year's Eve.  Then, it was 11 and we were all ready for bed.  We decided to be big kids and played dominoes ever so painfully until it finally hit Midnight.  Then it was done.  We went to bed.  One day we'll have a big party or something....

dear grams

i know, i know grams,

you were probably pointing that crooked finger all the way from heaven the whole time.

you know, making mochi is definitely an art that may or may not have been lost by yours truly.

for those of you non-asian people (which probably should include myself)  these two photos are good examples of how mochi should not look.

sigh.

for many moons my family has pulled out the mochi maker (very asian i know) and every new year's day we made mochi.  this year we attempted it with derek's family.

usually, it's a whole family event, but somehow, carol, (somewhat) tom and i were left alone to create these beauties.  this is what happens when you don't work fast enough 

(don't worry extended family, i still love you.)

so grams, i do apologize, but remember, i am only half japanese.

i feel if i were a whole japanese, these would have turned out much different

did i mention that the husband's brother lives in japan?

his family is probably more asian than i'll ever get to be

*big sigh

yours truly,

harmony the half asian caucasian. 

too see successful mochi making.  view this post

christmas and new years

crazy what a new year brings!

two new babes last year (yes, mine likes to sleep with things on her head)

we must be getting old...can't keep up with all the fun 

happy new year!

Skating, Old School

Cedar City just got a new addition. 

A Skate Rink.

In the words of our nephew Logan.

"What is a roller skate?"

Sigh. 

I shouldn't feel this old. 

No one should have to explain a roller skate to anyone.

It just isn't right I tell you. 

As you can tell we were all a little wobbly.

Tyler's armpits were a little tired...it looks rough. 

Yes, I have miniature feet. And lack the necessary skills to roller skate well with them. 

I put on the skates, literally, 5 seconds later I was flat on my back. 

Gena was showing off her mad skills.

She turned!

It was amazing. 

Logan and I were doing well. 

and then we weren't. 

Conquering the laces is sometimes tough. 

Apparnetly, Gena and Steve spent quite a bit of time as kids at the roller rink...derek too.

We made some New Year's Hats.

Which were basically princess hats.

We celebrated New Years at 10. 

Sadly, we didn't even stay up to midnight.

by we, I mean I.

Derek woke me up at midnight to kiss me.

Then i slept.