Phoenix HOT Weather

This week I went to visit Shawna and the rest of the family near Phoenix.  It was HOT; 117 degrees to be exact!  TOO HOT!!!  Not my cup of tea.  We played with Jake inside during the day, and then played with Jake outside in the pool at night.  Jake LOVES the water!  He splashed and splashed in the baby pool and then put his face under and blew bubbles in the underground pool (pictures to come!).  I even put his head under and he did fine; he's a fish for sure!!!! 

The Calus' and the Linds' are all doing well!  Momma Calus looks amazing and is a joy to be around; Mr. Calus made an amazing BBQ dinner (nothing but the best!).  Jesse and Sam are big and well, big! 

Jake is always smiling and moving so he's keeping Shawna and Mike VERY BUSY!!!!  Jake will be 1 August 23rd and I wish I was there!  He's taking two steps on his own before he falls...  he's be walking SOON!!!!!

Canyon De Chelly (pronounced SHAY)

This is the White House Ruin at Canyon De Chelly.  I took this 1.5 mile trail down into the canyon to see this cliff dwelling, inhabited in the 1100s.  The dwelling was constructed into 80 rooms and 4 kivas (ceremonial buildings).  This dwelling was 50 feet above the ground floor and right next to the wash.

The valley floor (right) at Canyon de Chelly.  BEAUTIFUL!! 

Navajo's still live in the area and perform agriculture and sheep herding practices from hundreds of years ago.  They also live in origional, 6-sided houses, called hogans.

Spider Rock formation from the Canyon.  It is over 800 feet high and is 230 million years old. 

The Navajo story:  Spider Woman had a power when creation started.  Some animals that were created were monsters that killed people.  Her father, Sun-God, was happy to help and destroyed all the monsters.

Because she saved the Navajo people, Spider Woman chose the top of Spider Rock to watch over her special people. 

If the Navajo children were ever behaving badly, the elders told stories that Spider Woman would climb down the rock on her made web-ladder and carry them back up to her home to devour them!