Sunday, June 12, 2011

She's Double Digits!!!!

How did Ainsley go from this...

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To this already?....

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It is hard to believe that this beautiful little girl that came into the world on our 2nd wedding anniversary is turning 10 today. Before our eyes she is growing up.
Ainsley we are so proud of you! Thank you for being such a wonderful sister and daughter. We have watched your heart grow this year, and we can't wait to see Emme Jade fall in love with you! God has blessed you with many gifts... Our job is to help you discover who God has created you to be! What a privilege it is to be your parents! We pray that you have an amazing year!

We love you Ainsley Kathryn! Happy 10th Birthday!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wordless Wednesday!

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Pre-School Graduates!

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We have had so much going on that I have not had time to post any photos from Sienna and Ruby's last day of Pre-School... It was a sweet day as they said goodbye to their beloved teachers and friends. Even though they won't be students at Wooddale again, they will be back to visit. Wooddale will be Emme Jade's school too!

This week the twosome went to three days of "Spring into Kindergarten" at their new school. They even got to play on the playground with their big sister and her friends... There favorite part of camp... Art and music!! The good news is they liked their new teacher very much!! They walked into the building hand in hand with The Pearl between them today! It was so cute!

Tomorrow is Ainsley's last day of school. She is more than ready for summer vacation! We are going to hit the pool to celebrate!!! And, then Monday we start our real vacation! Five days in Chicago with our favorite pals!!!! I finally get to meet Kit! And, I can't wait to catch up with my sweet friend, "Miss B"!!!

Have a great weekend! I will be back soon! Most likely with some cute pics from the beaches of Lake Michigan!


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A Little Cabin Time with "Camp H!"

We had our annual weekend with "Camp H" at our cabin over Memorial Weekend. We all look forward to this time together. We have a routine that works so great... Lots of fishing, great food, and fellowship with our favorite family! Even though the weather wasn't the best we have ever had, we had a great weekend! Thanks "Camp H" for sharing your long weekend with us!
We love you guys!!

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The first catch of the 2011 Season!!! He went on to catch 7 more, so it was a good start to the year!! Ainsley had fun keeping track of all of the anglers... I think in numbers, Jeff was the big winner!!

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"Her Rubiness" taking a little exercise break on the dock while her sister reeled in one of the big fish of the weekend!!!!

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Well, not only can this girl do gymnastics, she is proving to be quite the little fisherwoman too!!!! She caught this 15" bass on our infamous Mickey Mouse pole. That pole has seen a lot of action throughout the years. There was an actual "Take your Kid fishing" contest on our lake for Memorial Day. Sienna's big catch came in 5th overall. There were over 100 fish entered!

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This very sad face from Sienna came after Jeff and Jon let her fish go... She didn't understand why she couldn't just keep him.... We convinced her that perhaps she would catch him again this summer!!

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We have an annual tradition of Jon's famous pancakes during our weekends together. Jeff and Jon managed the kitchen which of course I loved!!! Thanks Jon and Jeff for the awesome breakfast!!

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Sienna and Ruby love building things together. They packed Sienna's legos for the weekend getaway. They were hoping Jake would help them make something special. Which he did!!

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The director of "Camp H" and Ruby Mei back together again!!

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Jon's big Bass of the day!!!! Although a kid at heart, he was not allowed to enter this big one into the "Fishing Contest!"

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Jake, Ainsley & Luke... We have been doing these fun cabin weekends together for five years now!!

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Always a highlight... ATVing around the cabin with fun Mr. Jon!!


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Alivia, Olivia, and Gabriella Need Your Help!!

I hope you will all take the time today to jump over to my friend Kathy's blog! She has some great auction items, and a fun raffle up to help her bring her newest daughter, Alivia, home from China!

Due to some unexpected circumstances they find themselves in need of additional funds for traveling to bring their precious daughter home! Their travel authorization is due any day!!!! I just might need that Nook for my upcoming trip!!

Ren Chinese and photos.pdf - Adobe Reader

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Next I have also have posted an old friend over at Pearl River Outreach! Olivia, actually grew up in Hengshan with Sienna!!!! She was one of our Bamboo Babies up until one year ago. She was transferred to Changsha for physical therapy. Well now she is back, and we would love to watch out for her again! She needs 3 sponsors to make this happen!!!! You can email me at diana@pearlriveroutreach.org if you are interested in being her sponsor!

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Olivia is currently available for adoption. She is on the Holt individual list. You can contact them for information on her file! Her Chinese Name is Li Yan.

Lastly, Gabriella from our Pearl River Outreach Program in Zhanjiang, Guangdong is a new "Special Focus" child on the Shared List. She is available now for adoption. You can contact Stephanie at GWCA for more information. Gabriella's Chinese Name is Zhan Ming Gu! Please spread the word about her too!

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Zhang Ming Gu


Thursday, May 26, 2011

Trophies and Ribbons!

Wednesday night Jeff and I had one of those proud parent moments.... Sienna and Ruby participated in their first progressive gymnastics meet. This post is not meant to boast about our little girls. Yes, they did their best and had fun.. But, it was a lot more than that! It was about sisters cheering each other on, parents being surprised by results, and the reminder of how very far Sienna Grace has come physically in just one year!

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You see, we have always known Ruby was born to be an athlete! She is a little muscle machine! We know she has the potential to do well in sports. Most likely it will be about her picking her favorite to excel in. She has improved a lot in gymnastics this year. I will admit she does have one rocking running cartwheel!! This was her first meet, and she did so well! She had fun, and she did her best. She also won the floor routine in her group, and placed 4th overall... Ruby was invited to join the "Tiny Team" this summer, where she will practice 3 hours a week. She is excited to learn more!

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But, I will admit, the biggest surprise of the night, was her sister. When Sienna came home her spleen was so large, we couldn't even let her do summersaults on the bars. And, due to the size of her spleen, she struggled to run, and she walked with a slow gait. We even had her hips X-rayed because we thought she had dysplasia.. Well, she showed all of us last night... What we learned about Sienna Grace is she is a tough competitor. We've always known her to be strong and brave... We can now add to that list, "Gamer!" She put on her game face, did the best we have ever seen her do, she also placed 1st in her floor routine, and she placed 1st overall in in her team of 10!!! Her sweet coach, Connie, came over with tears in her eyes.. She was so proud of her!

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It's been fun to watch Sienna blossom athletically lately. She just started swimming, and our little water bug loves it!!! Perhaps swim team is in her future!

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It was a special night... We will never forget our first gymnastics meet!

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Another blessing in the night... Daddy was there. He as able to leave New York early to meet us at the gym. I am so thankful. I never could have put into words what the night was like!


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

{B&W Wednesday} ~ The Flower Girl's Go Shopping!

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Katie invited us to go with her to pick out the flower girl dresses for her wedding in October. The girls were so excited... Before we got to the boutique I gave them a little chat on what I expected... Overall they were pretty good... There were so many beautiful things to see. It was like one big dress up event for Sienna and Ruby! Ainsley came for moral support and I think she had just as much fun as they did trying on earrings, and hair accessories! I love what Katie picked ! They are going to look so beautiful with her bridesmaids! We can't wait for October 15th!

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The beautiful bride and her flower girls!!!

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Well... when I told them what I expected of them, I never mentioned
they couldn't go into the display window!! Oops!!

Now... what is the mother and the big sister of the flower girls going to wear?

the long road




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