The Brown Family: Rocky Point

Rocky Point (Day 5) The City Streets

A family friend of the Brown's lives in Rocky Point. Their home is a big compound that is the size of a city block. Inside the exterior walls is a squirrel monkey habitat that they own.

The kids took turns going into the caged gazebo where the monkeys live. They were very interactive animals, climbing and jumping all over everyone.

Bennett was in his element...

We had lunch at a favorite taco shop. We were all able to squeeze in to the dining area above the small kitchen.

We ate 140 items...tacos, burros, and quesidillas.

It was all so delicious!

After lunch, the kids were given $5.00 and a half hour to get the best deal on a souvinier of their choice.

Sunglasses, maybe?

Cassidy, Lauren, Ashlyn

or perhaps a colorful purse...

Here's what they ended up with!

We had such a great trip! We made some new friends, re-acquainted with some old ones, ate alot, slept a little, worked some, but most of all we were once again reminded how blessed we are as families to have our homes, opportunities for education, and the gospel.

Until next year...(that is unless the kids are successful in convincing us this needs to be a semi-annual tradition!)

Hmmm...we'll see!

Adios Amigo!

Rocky Point (Day 4) Gone Fishin!

Curt was determined to get some fishing in on the trip.

25 others also wanted in, so they chartered 4 boats like this one.

Haley was beyond excited to catch several fish!

This was her first catch of the day!

The deckhands were nice enough to skin and filet the fish...

The pelicans were eagerly awaiting for the fish remains...

Aaron and Haley...

Several of the kids got a bit queasey from boat ride, even with the help of Dromamine.

I, on the other hand, have learned my lesson...Stay home!

That night we grilled up about 50 pounds of fish for tacos!

They were yummy, even for those that don't eat fish!

What we couldn't eat, we gave away to some locals.

That night we played Capture the Flag on the beach and laughed until we ached watching the kids play crazy group games. The question game, signs, and mafia were just a few of the favs!

It was amazing to see the fun that could be had with no TV, cell phones, or computers.

Good Times!

Rocky Point (Day 3)

Our whole group descended on the small branch on Sunday.

There were many visitors, about 400 people in attendance.

As you would expect, the meeting was in Spanish. It was fun to sing the familiar hymns in a different language and to try to pick out any words from the talks that you might understand.

Clark and a couple of others from our group were able to help pass the sacrament.

They informed us after the meeting, that part way through the sacrament they ran out of water cups.

Not to worry, they just reused the ones from the first batch!

The whole gang!

La Familia Brown...

La Familia de Carson Brown...(which includes Nick & Lauren for this trip!)

La Familia Koozer...

After church we went and visited some friends that own homes in Rocky Point...

Duncans, Rowleys and Shreeves. It was really fun to see their beach front homes.

That evening we had a great fireside.

All the families were represented...Jay gave a great thought, Curt and Tim (the bishops) each gave a message and Buddy sang and played the guitar.

It was a great Sabbath Day in Mexico!

Rocky Point (Day 2) Fun on the Job!

All work and no play make for a long day!

Nick and Haley

Clark and Buddy

Ashlyn, Lauren, Cassidy

Buddy and Tia

Haley, Aaron, and Monson

Rocky Point (Day 2) Off to Work We Go!

Work Day! We were at the job site by 8:00am ready to get down and dirty!

Clark and Cannon waiting for instruction...

Curt getting the walls up...

Curt and Cassidy building the wall...

Tia carrying very heavy buckets of mortar for the block-laying...

Alison making sure the wall is level and even (at least kind of!)...

Haley stuffing the gaps in the block with paper and broken rock in preparation for the concrete...

Bennett, Perry, Taft, and Hollyn taping the holes on the electrical face plates.

You should have seen the fabulous job they did!

Curt adjusting the rebar...

Bennett pouring the concrete...

Clark taking a much needed break...

It was a long day, but the weather and company were perfect!

We accomplished a lot and felt a real sense of satisfaction in the work we did .

Although these homes are very small and basic, for most families in Mexico, it doesn't get any better.

The first year we participated in this adventure, as we were working on the house, Clark made a comment that I have never forgotten. He asked, "Who would even want to live in a house like this?" My response was, "Someone who doesn't have a house".

This experience has helped us all to realize how truly blessed we are!

Mission accomplished!