NEW Adventure............

On the way over the dirt road on the mountain Elder Wilson wanted to take us to some more ruins......The Three Turkey ruins.............so we took off through the "toolies" (and Elder Hafen wonders why our car has a rattle in it!!!!!!!!!!!!) Oh my goodness - this was incredible.....we talked to a Navajo couple that we ran across while driving and they told us where to drive to....you can get so close to these ruins that it is really exciting............Elder Hafen hiked down a little way and then the Elders took off and jogged some and got closer..........we are planning a trip back when we haven't just walked the White House Ruins Trail.................we discovered that we are not "20" any longer (ha ha)........What a wonderful day and how blessed we are to be here to see all these wonderful things............

Beautiful Day

This was such a beautiful day today....................sunshine and just enough breeze to make hiking nice. As we were hiking the trail we met up with the senior couple missionaries who are serving in Many Farms............we couldn't believe he wore his white shirt and tie and she was in a skirt........they are great people - we ate lunch on the bank of the little stream and enjoyed being together.

Memorial Day 2010

The young Elders were so excited to have us take them today.........we went first to Canyon de Chelly and walked the White House Ruins trail.......lots of international visitors today....one family from Australia on a six week vacation - a man and his wife from Washington D.C. on a 7 week vacation...........Had nice visits with everyone.

Sad news..............Elder Wight is being transferred back to Phoenix area...........we are so sad - he was doing such a terrific job here and we were hoping he'd last to be in the new New Mexico Farmington mission when we all move to that July 1st. So this was a day to try to help him see things he hadn't seen yet!

Elder Hafen's Joy!

Elder Hafen walked over to do chores tonight and when he got home he put me in the car and we went back for "show and tell"............first baby is now getting bigger...........but surprise in another stall with a darling new little hungry baby...........another miracle!

Baptism Jaymill Sanders

Elder and Sister Cain taught Jaymill and she was baptized today. She lives with her grandmother, Joann Begay.............it was a nice baptism - she has one of the sweetest little faces and a smile to light up anyone's heart...........

Bishop Willie is out of town - so Elder Hafen is doing chores again and teaching Sister Willie's Gospel Doctrine class tomorrow in Sunday School and I am teaching Young Women.....They are having the Seminary Graduation tomorrow (which they hold during Sacrament meeting).....oh well.............

Graduation Night................

We helped the Etisitty's with their celebration - Jon and Oriana..................(she from kindergarten).............then it was off to Orenthal Belone's 8th grade graduation celebration.....

Dinner Out.......

The Burton's invited us over to dinner.................he is a dentist with the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital. Dentists, eye care, everything is at the hospital here..............that is for the Native Americans............Speaking of dentists - Elder Hafen just had a crown replaced that came off in a perfect bite of a "bit o honey" tiny candy......He went to a place called Nizhoni Smiles - where biligana (anglo) can go....................to the tune of $160................... Quite a "bit o money" for that "bit o honey" bite!!!
Back to the story - the Burton's - it was a fun night...........we took cupcakes and ice cream.....the littlest one met us at the door and said.........."Oh yum.............cupcakes are my favorite cake!!!" Darling family.....

Grow Garden Grow............

Just a shot of one of our garden spots - we have "two"............however the wind has beaten down our pepper plant and one of our tomato plants froze..............(good luck to us right???) You can see the red clay soil - we did put some manure from Bishop Willie............but who knows?? Actually I took the picture out the kitchen window trying to catch the two little birds on the fence.......

Corey and Friend and Corey's parents Ray and Paula Holyan

Corey and graduating friend..................also her parents Ray and Paula Holyan.........dear friends of ours. They gave us a nice tribute as they made introductions of all the guests at the graduation reception...........

Party on............

Graduation - another huge celebration here. They had BBQ steak and hot dogs, rolls, fry bread, baked beans and traditional Navajo beans, 2 kinds of fruit salad, corn on the cob, relish trays, BBQ peppers, fruit trays, water, 2 kinds of juices. And some beautifully decorated cakes. You can see by the size of the hall - they fed a LOT of people..........the whole cultural hall was full and was decorated beautifully...........

Corey Rae Holyan's High School Graduation....

Corey is the daughter of one of the families we have been working with.........she is a beautiful girl. Graduated today from St Michaels High School (a private high school here) and is going to go to BYU going for a civil engineering degree. Actually I think she is hoping to to go on medical school is all goes well. She also rodeo's so you'll see the horses on the decorations........

Sorry I left off one picture.......

Wanted you to see the little girl in her traditional rug dress with her ceremonial moccasins and all her turquoise............wish you could see her hair in the back - they have such a beautiful way of wrapping hair.......and remember this is "kindergarten graduation".............it cost a bunch to dress this little one! And..............check out the belt buckle!! One little boy had his cowboy hat on for the march in with his little blue cap taped on top of it!

The end of a beautiful day............

Well............................what could be more perfect than a sight like this! We are so thankful to be a a part of this beautiful Navajo Nation!

Window Rock Kindergarten Graduation 2010!!

With 71 graduating students - this was a grand affair beginning with marching into "A Star is Born"..........Each little class performed two musical numbers - darling. Presentation of Certificates and Sashes.......did the graduate procession out to Circle of Life..Delightful evening. We knew 4 of the little graduates! Just a few names.....Eli Yazzie, Dilren Nez, Kiyaani Benally, Chamique Bowman, Orianna Etsitty, Isaiah Jaramillo, Zion Platero, Robey Talklai, Rannon Roan, Ryan Ahasteen, Taryn Curley Maddox Goldtooth and Quyncya Todachinie....just to give you an idea.....

Interesting Career Workshop!!!

Our huge Career Workshop! Ha ha..........we only had two come before we had to put the signs out that it was cancelled....................surprise to us the carpet cleaners came today!!! So amidst the noise and water - we just stopped where we were and then cleaned up.....it was kind of funny - we couldn't even go to our house and sit because they were cleaning the carpets there too....so we just drove up to "That's a Burger" in Fort Defiance and had lunch and sat in the car and read for a little bit until everything was "walkable" once again! Never a dull moment here!

Brother & Sister Chun's Retirement Party At Window Rock Elementary

We were invited to the Chun's retirement party at the Window Rock Elementary.....they put on a regular Luau and of course Brother Chun did a concert with his karaoke machine.....he loves to do Johnny Cash impersonations and has the regular "Elvis" attire..........actually he has a really nice voice and it was fun. They had a potluck dinner and fun program. We will miss them so much when them move to American Fork, Utah. He is the one who had the stroke (notice how light his hair is becoming since the stroke). They have become some of our dearest friends.....one of the blessings of serving a mission!