Our adventures in Cancun Mexico

On Sunday, December 8th, Jim informed me that we were going to Mexico on Friday the 13th.  I exclaimed that I was still in school and please wait until I am done.  He said it had to be now and that I could just bring my computer and do my homework in Mexico.  I was in charge of the Ward dinner potatoes and rolls on Friday and now I would not be attending the party.  I had a lot of things to quickly take care of and do homework.
Thursday afternoon we drove to Spokane and spent the night in a hotel so we only had to wake up at 4:00 am. Winter is here in Washington and snow has began to fall so we could not chance the weather being bad that early in the morning.  We had a great night, spending time in the pool and hot tub.
Friday our travels to Cancun went perfectly and we arrived in the late afternoon.  After getting settled I worked on some assignment for school.
Saturday we visited the hotel zone and then returned for more hours of homework.

Sunday we took a cab to church because we hadn't figured out the bus system.  It was located in the middle of a very poor part of town.  The cab driver was very leery of our destination.  It was good for Jim to experience church in a language he did not understand.  There were a few other visitors who didn't speak Spanish so they had a Sunday School class for us Americans.  We decided to try the bus system to get back to our hotel.  We went with a newly wed couple to their hotel and then tried to go from their hotel to ours but ours was not in the hotel zone.  We stayed at a hotel by the airport which is out in the middle of no where.  Once we got to the hotel zone the sky let loose and it rained and filled the streets with water. After several hours on a bus and then getting off and walking trying to find the right bus we finally got a cab and returned to our hotel.
Monday we woke up early and walked to a transfer station to join a tour group going to Xel-Ha.  We were told to wait by a sign not far from the hotel.  We saw a bus go by but it didn't stop.  We were confused and ran to follow the bus but it disappeared around the corner so we went back to our sign.  Another bus stopped and a tour guide got out and then the bus took off again.  The tour guide asked us if we were lost.  He helped us walk around a few more corners to the transfer station and we made it to our bus in time for our tour.  We had a great time and left at 6:00 pm.  The traffic was really bad and we didn't get back to our hotel until 9:30 pm.  We took a steam shower that night to relax.

Tuesday we took a taxi to the Hard Rock Hotel to join a tour to Chichen Itza. It rained hard all night so the streets were filled with water. During the three hour bus ride the tour guide told us all sorts of interesting information about the Mayan people and the history of Chichen Itza.  We stopped at a restaurant for lunch and then on to the site. It has been raining most of the trip but when we got to the site it stopped raining and was perfect for taking pictures. We broke up into two groups, one English speaking and one Spanish speaking.  Our tour guide took us around and gave us more information about the Mayan people and the city.  We were left with one hour to go on our own to take pictures and explore.  Jim took some great pictures.  He was taking pictures the whole time during the tour and after.  We boarded the bus again at 5:00 and headed back to the hotel.   Once we got back I started studying for my math final.  I finally went to bed at 1:00 am.

Wednesday morning I got up and studied some more and then we took a bus to downtown Cancun and went shopping.  It was quite the experience.  Everyone wants you to buy their things and take just one Mexican minute to look at their shop.  We spent several hours and then walked out to the main road and tried to find the only bus that would take us back to our hotel.  We probably walked for an hour and finally got on the right bus for our hotel. I would suggest if you go to Cancun you get a hotel on the hotel strip or in downtown Cancun.  As soon as we returned I worked on my math until we finally finished(group final) around 10:00 pm.
Thursday we took the shuttle to the airport and flew to Denver.  It took a long time to get through customs so by the time we had our bags rechecked Jim took off running to the gate, hoping there were seats on that flight.  In his hurry he left his backpack at the end of security by my stuff so I had two backpacks and my carry on suitcase to take to the gate at a run. We found out the flight was delayed for another hour so we got something to eat.  The flight went out full so we called Trissa and she came and got us. We spent the night at Trissa's and then the next day because there was only one flight to Spokane which left at 9:05 pm. I took my 3 hour American history final at Trissa's Friday morning.  Finally I am finished with this semester.  We spent the afternoon shopping with Trissa and Gavin.  The flight was delayed until 10:45 that night but we did get seats on the flight.  We arrived home at 3:00 am.

Ashton James Brinck

Ashton James Brinck was born on November 6th about 9:30pm.  He weighed 8 lbs 5 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Ashton

 Kendra and Ashton

 Carter and Ashton

Ashton and Kendra

 Carter getting a hair cut

 Kendra after church

 Carter and Kendra playing one morning

 Carter

Brinck children

Cory's Wedding Brought Family Together

My nephew, Cory, was married in the Spokane Temple on Friday September 27th to Rachel White.  My parents, sister and brothers all came for the wedding.  It was good to see all of my family.  Jim and I spent the night in the same hotel as my family and we were able to spend a little more time together.  It was a great weekend.

 Cory and Rachel just outside the temple

Cory

 Rachel

 My family

 Alan and Lacy's children

 

James Micheal's Baptism

James Micheal turned eight years old on September 12th and was baptized September 14th in the Spokane Stake Center.  Family and friends enjoyed time together after the wonderful event.  Jordan, Mariah and Della came from Cheney, Dustin and Lexie came from Rexburg and William came from Colville. Tori, Trent and Capri just came for the baptism. Thanks to all those who took the time to come and celebrate this event. We took the opportunity to get a four generation photo of the James Divises.

James Antone, James Henry, James Allen,

 and James Micheal Divis

Labor Day

We started are day laboring in the front yard.  Jim, Jordan and William worked hard on preparing the front yard for grass.

William and Jim pulling a water barrel to level the ground.

After the men were exhausted, Jim and I went to Adam and Sherri's for dinner and a night of pickle ball.

Working on cement path

Saturday the men worked on the cement path.

 Smoothing out the area, getting ready to plant grass.

After cutting the cement paving stones for the corner pieces.

Big Wind Storm

Sunday evening we were above the garage when the wind began to blow and we heard a snap, crash and metal crushing.  Jim hurried out to see what damage was done and found the top of a tree down next to the red Subaru.  The tree had taken the street lamp right off of the pole which crashed to the ground.  Luckily the driveway was not blocked and all vehicles were safe.  Monday during the day the tree settled into the driveway so for family night Jim cut the tree up while William and I hauled it to the burn pile.

 Monday morning when I went for my run.

Monday afternoon

Monday evening

Building Deck Stairs

Jim and I went to James' on Saturday and Jim helped build the deck stairs.

Evan, Sadie and Della had fun playing bag monsters

Jim working on the deck while James and Jordan go to the store for more wood.

Birthday Party for Laura and Kendra

Sunday we celebrated Laura and Kendra's birthday with cake and ice cream.

 Mariah made the princess cake

Family Picture and scavenger hunt

We tried to all get together for Dustin's open house but John was not able to come.  We took a picture and hope to be able to photo shop a picture with John in it.

We had planned on going down the Kettle river but the weather was cool so they decided to have a picture scavenger hunt.  I took care of all the children while they scavenged.

Find a bridge

 Make a tower

Planking

Spell Wild

Planking

Quidditch (anti gravity)

Reflection

 Wild Animals (Turkeys)

 anti gravity