Traditions

We enjoyed doing Christmas activities together the past few weeks! 

Winter showcase

Sydney loves to perform. Here in Billings she gets to take acting and vocal theater classes. We able to see her first vocal theater showcase. Since it is a very small group of kids she really got to shine and show off what she has learned. Her favorite song from the showcase was of course the Broadway medley. 

10

Wynn wanted to play sports with his friends for his tenth birthday. They had a lot of fun playing, soccer, football, and basketball. After two hours of running around, they were worn out! He has been very blessed to have found so many good friends here already and has fit right in at school and at church with the swarms of boys here. Wynn is still the most curious, intuitive learner. He can solve problems quickly and is always trying to understand the things around him. Happy tenth Wynn <3

 

Thanksgiving

Our Thankful Tree

We are very grateful Grandma and Grandpa Pack could come be with us over Thanksgiving. We had so much fun! Here are some pictures of the things we did. 

Thankful for our ward

At this time of Thanksgiving, I want to express gratitude for the members of our Cove Creek Ward. During the last six weeks after my knee and ankle surgery, they have helped us in many ways. They have brought us many meals, arranged rides for Sydney to and from school, called to check on me, and taken me to doctors appointments. Before my surgery, they helped us move into our rental then into the garage of our new home. Even though we have only been in our ward a short few months, they have done so much for us. I am very grateful that they are so willing to serve and that Heavenly Father prompted us to live in this area.

Halloween 2021

Fighter pilot, dolphin trainer, and angel

Recovering Part 2

After my parents left, Grandma and Papa Shinsel came to help out. They took the kids to their extracurriculars and some other activities. They got to go to the pumpkin patch with them so they could pick out their pumpkins and carve them! On Saturday I was feeling especially stir crazy so Andy loaded me up in the car and pushed me around the zoo with everyone else. He's super nice to me! so

Recovering

While I was recovering from my knee and ankle surgery, Grandma and Grandpa Pack were very kind to come stay with us and help out. My surgery was postponed so we were able to do a few things together before. They were a huge help and indispensable during the start of my recovery. The kids loved doing things with them and that they got to see our new town and their activities. 

Service

Service has been on my mind a lot lately. Sydney attended youth conference last weekend and participated in a service project. She loved it and came home beaming; she said she wished everyday could be like that.

I had surgery on my right ankle and knee two weeks ago. Mom and Dad took time out of their busy schedules to come and help me with my recovery and take care of the kids while I was on bed rest. Not only did they take care of the errands and getting kids off to school but they cleaned, helped with house projects, and took the kids out for fun activities so I could rest. We are very fortunate to have parents who are willing to serve our family and are loving and kind 

Now Andy's parents are here helping. They had to drive 12 hours to be here with us. Their service continues to bless us as I recover. The kids are in heaven having two sets of grandparents here back to back. They don't know how lucky they are. 

Our ward has been incredibly kind in reaching out and helping out as well. I've received many messages checking in, prayers and thoughts from Ward members, meals brought to us, and all the rides for Sydney to and from school arranged for us. 

With so much service being given to our family, how can I give back? As I have been resting my ankle, I've had time to think about this a lot. Serving my neighbors, indexing, writing thank you notes and letters to missionaries are some of the things I have tried. I still feel like I could be doing more. How can I serve my children now when I am unable to do the day to day care for them? I will be praying and studying more about this idea this week.

End of CC Season

Last week all three of the kids got to finish out their cross country seasons. I was so surprised to learn that there is an elementary cross country club here that also has two meets. They run 1 mile, and Wynn and Abby both did great in their runs. Wynn's best time was 8:15 and Abby's best time was 9:08. Sydney finished her last race with a personal record of 17:27 for the two mile race. She improved her time over a minute and half since they start of the season! I am very proud of all their hard work and determination. They are troopers and it is so fun seeing them work hard and reap the rewards. Grandma and Grandpa Pack were able to be here for their last meets of the season too. 

 

Fall happenings

Fall has been busy with settling in. We are grateful to have our landscaping in now. It helps our house feel like a home. Sydney is acting, Wynn is playing football and Abby is loving gymnastics. I love having a zoo so close by to go for a walk at. Sydney joined the student council at school and Wynn and Abby really enjoyed their school's carnival fundraiser.

Cross Country Season

Sydney has been running cross country at her middle school. We're very proud of her and she she works to improve her time each week. 

Wynn and Abby have adjusted very well to their new school and are making lots of friends. They are both running cross country too. Here they are on the first day of school. They don't have their first cc meet for another week or so.

Shinsel family reunion at Yellowstone

Wynn and Drake are inseparable.

All the kids shared one massive bunk room!

Meal prep has to be a family affair with so many mouths to feed 

Lots of cousin time