Mexican Independence Day on September 15/16

There was a big celebration for Mexico's Independence Day on September 15 at the high school. There were tons of food boths and they had a show featuring the local high school students. It was a cool cultural experience. Mexico has some really fun dances. In this dance, the girls waved their pretty white dresses all around. No worries though, they all had shorts on underneath.
This was a group of 20 or so guitars and a bassist. They all played together at the same time and sang. It was definitely my favorite part of the evening. They did two or three songs.
These girls managed to dance and balance a candle on their head. I've tried this numerous times since ;) and it is not easy.

What would Independence Day be without red, green, and white? These are three of my students.
The Elementary School did a bake sale. I helped make caramel apples, rice krispie treats, and cookies. The school also had Navajo tacos, freshly made apple juice, hot dogs, brisket. etc. It was so yummy and they made almost $2,000

Next year, who is down with celebrating Mexican Independence? We can sing the anthem, do some fireworks, rent a mariache band, etc Check yes or no.

It's All Gone

About 3 Saturdays ago, I was feeling bored. We all know how I am with rash decisions, I tend to make them. Well, I decided to let Brittany chop my hair off. The shampoo down here and the water were not doing good things to my hair. So, now it is gone. I don't love it, but it has made things a lot easier. I haven't had short hair since high school so it has been an interesting adventure.

Pottery

We went to this place in Casas Grandes that makes pottery. They showed us some of the steps. In this picture, Brittany is polishing the pot with a rock. It takes about 2 weeks from start to finish to make a pot.

Wall of pots!

After the potttery adventure, we went to this really nice Mexican restaurant. I ordered Platilla Mexicano. It had enchiladas, peppers, toquitos, avacado, and other things of deliciousness. We had to wait forever though before they took our order even though we were the only people in the room. I'm learning patience down here. (22 September)

Our Trek Around Colonia Juarez

Joanne's relatives were in town so we stuck with them this weekend. We sat in the back of a pickup and went all over Colonia Juarez. It was fun but I got really burnt. This is pretty much the town.
Pic 1: Cactus
Pic 2: Out near the orchards
Pic 3: same picture twice, oops
Pic 4: The view from one of the Whetten's back yard
Pic 5: Main Street. It is quite the happening town.
Pic 6: City park.
Pic 7 y 8: Brittany and I eating delicious paletas.
Pic 9: Henry Eyring's gravestone. I think he might be Elder Eyring's grandfather or great-grandfather but I haven't researched it so I am not really sure.
Pic 10: A fuzzy view of the city from temple hill.

Anyone want to come visit? Check yes or no.

The Fifth Grade Classroom

Here is a picture from several different angles of the 5th grade classroom.

My Class

Last Friday we had Cowboy Day in 4th grade. Lots of the kids came dressed as cowboys. The great thing is that lots of the kids are the real deal. They own horses and ranches, they compete in rodeos, they wear fantastically large belt buckles. It was great. Anyway, here is just about every kid in my fourth grade class.
Here are the kids in order from top to bottom:
Doriana and Jose Luis, Nataly, Pierce, Flor, Gaby and Vanesa L, Tara, Tristana, Vanessa A and Gioanna, Jackie, Rebecca, Allen, Parker, Sebastian