Mochi

On Sunday morning we got up a little earlier than usual and headed out to Madera to make Mochi. This is a yearly family tradition. I don't really know how to describe what Mochi is. It's almost like a rice cake. It is made out of purely rice. But it is heated and steamed and then put through a machine to be made into a dough like texture. Than it is divided and shaped to be smooth and round. Mochi is a Japanese tradition that we have been doing since I was a little girl. It was fun to take Harlow to it this year. I remember being young and running around the property and exploring everything. We spent a lot of time playing with the dogs and running through the fields. I made my heart smile a little to see Harlow doing exactly the same thing this year with all of the other kids. It's a little weird to think that all of us have grown up and now the kids running around are ours. Harlow had so much fun that when we got home she took a 3 and a half hour nap! She woke up with just enough time to get ready for cousin Amelia's 3rd birthday party.

There were baby bunnies running around this wood pile and also a litter of newborn puppies. This kept Harlow entertained for a long time.


Bunny!


The golf cart is always a big hit with the kids.


I'm pretty sure Harlow found a new best friend in Brian. She willingly went to him when he asked to hold her and she spent almost all of her time playing with him.




The mochi being packed into individual bags.




Harlow and Mya are born on the same day and year. They are pretty cute to see together.






Every year my dad is in charge of the fire that heats the rice.


And every year there is bar-b-q chicken. Pete looks forward to this chicken all year long.




The rice being put through the machine.




Each piece of Mochi being shaped.


Harlow and Brian checking out the puppies.


All of the Aoki kids on the tractor.


There is rice in each of these.


Check out that smile!




Brian and Harlow on the tractor.




Harlow and Mya and Brian.


Mya in my dad's truck.