Saturday afternoon Ainsley asked me if we could do a "photo shoot!" Jeff had the girls at the park, so we had a little fun outside! I can't believe she is just a few weeks away from being 10! And, just days away from being done with 4th grade. Everyone has always told me to treasure these days while they are young. I understand why.. It goes so fast! Soon this special little girl will be a big sister to three little girls. That is a huge responsibility.. If anyone can do it, Ainsley can!!! Ainsley we are so proud of you!!

May was a busy month for our third grader. This was the month that they put on the "Nifty 50" show! It was an amazing production, and Ainsley loved it! Theatre may be in her future too!

The Pearl turned 9 years old in June! We treated her friends to a little pampering! She joined me in June to take the little girls to see their BFF's in Chicago. I believe I remember her asking me if we could move there during this wonderful trip!! She is pictured below with one of her favorite little girls, Lucy!

We spend a lot of time celebrating in July at our house. With Sienna home, there are now 3 July birthdays along with a 4th for our dog Caymus. We spent a lot of time playing at the cabin in July too. Ainsley is pictured below with my Dad. They have a precious relationship! This was the summer that Ainsley was totally into the water sports at our cabin. She became quite the knee boarder very quickly. So fun to see her fall in love with the things her Dad loves to do!

We ended our summer with our fun beach vacation at Gulf Shores. Ainsley was so great with all the little girls. I am always amazed at her patience and love for these precious children. God has given her a special gift here! She is pictured below with Wesleigh Jane, one of our favorite Southern Girls!

You can't live in Minnesota in late August or early September and not go to the State Fair. I love this photo of Ainsley and Ruby enjoying one of many treats that day!

Ainsley did a little modeling photo shoot one afternoon in October. They let me break out my camera and take a few shots. So fun, to play photographer with The Pearl! We took a trip to AZ this month to celebrate Nadi's Dedication. Ainsley loves precious Shaelee.. I love the photos of the two of them together at the zoo. This will always be a special relationship. The shot of her coaching her sisters about Halloween is one of my favorites. She is great at getting them excited about anything!

In November Ainsley started practices for her first team sport, basketball. She has been enjoying the time with her Daddy! And, we all love going to the games to cheer her on!

November brought us some good snow, and some fun at the cabin! It was also the month the girls humored me for our Christmas Card photos!

We were so proud of Ainsley in her Christmas Play. She had two solo's this year and

she sang beautifully. If Ainsley gets nervous, one would never know! I do pray that

she continues with this gift of hers! We were talking just last night about how important it is to use the gifts God gives each one of us!

There are many things I can say about Ainsley. She is a special little girl. She has a heart for orphans already, and I love that about her. She hopes to go back to China again one day! We were so incredibly proud of her on that trip.

Ainsley is silly, funny, and easy to be around (most days!). Most of the time she is singing a song, doing a hand stand or asking random questions! She is also very laid back. A trait we are not sure where she got with the two parents she was born to. I admire her ability to not sweat the small stuff. It drives me crazy some days too. But, I do see the blessing in this. She has a quiet confidence about her! She is a loyal friend, sister and daughter. She has matured a lot in 2010. I look forward to seeing twelve months of pictures of her next year! I am so glad I decided to do this. It is amazing how much a child can grow up in just one year! My prayer for Ainsley is that she will continue to grow with a beautiful inner strength, joy in her heart, and a desire to be the best she can be. And, I pray that she will always take on her position as big sister seriously. She knows that she is a role model to Sienna and Ruby. And, some days that is hard. But, I know that she will always be there for her sisters! It is a blessing to watch this little girl of ours grow up. Happy New Year Ainsley Kathryn!!

As Ruby would say, life here is BUSY BUSY BUSY right now!!! Which means I need to take a little blog break to get organized!!! We have a very special trip planned next weekend. Sienna, Ruby and Mommy are heading off to be with Shaelee, Sienna's BFF from China, for a very special even in her life next weekend. Jeff and Ainsley are following closely behind to enjoy a few days of vacation with us. We have much to celebrate with this special family!

I am catching up on some work I committed too, along with our normal crazy schedule. Grandpa Al was here for a special visit last week which we all enjoyed!! Sienna is doing fantastic.. One would never know she had surgery ten days ago! Praise God!

We are enjoying the most gorgeous fall on record in Minnesota. Only if it could stay this way!

More soon, including pictures of some very special little girls from Hengshan!