Celebrate Freedom (or a tale of two sisters)

We went to Celebrate Freedom this weekend. It is a huge Christian concert with lots of things for kids to do. We went Friday and listened to a bunch of bands that I didn't know. We did stay (late) for the David Crowder Band. They were really good and I was glad we sat through the hour long sermon asking you to invite Jesus into your heart to hear them!


We planned to stay for the fireworks- Madison was going to be brave and actually watch them. However, the fireworks didn't take place until Saturday night- oops!



The girls enjoyed dancing to the music. We had to keep yelling over the music at Ella to quit lifting up her shirt (at the Christian concert), but that's another story!





During the day, I noticed how different the girls are. See what you think!


Madison with Bob and Larry.



Ella avoiding Bob and Larry.



Ella enjoying the concert.


Madison enjoying the concert.


However, they were alike in one way. Notice the time on the clock- and then notice how alive everyone looks!








Gotta love night owls!

I Went in for a Trim...

I went in for a trim.... and look what happened! Actually, I was ready to chop off my hair. I realized this week that I hadn't actually fixed my long hair in about a year, so it was time to get rid of it! After all, what's the point of having long hair if you just pull it back in a bun or ponytail every day?

I looked into donating my hair to Locks of Love, but you have to cut 8-10 inches and I only cut 6. My hairdresser used the razor blade on the ends, so it looked like we had killed an animal underneath my chair. I guess it looked like we had sheared an animal- that sounds better. If only I'd had my camera... sigh....

Anyway, I like it and I think it's going to be quite easy to fix in the mornings! That's the most exciting part! So leave a comment only if you like it. Remember- if you can't say something nice.... :)

PS. I took all of these pictures in my bathroom watching the screen of the camera in the mirror! Aren't you impressed? :)

We Owe You!

We had a great time with my sister and brother-in-law this weekend. We packed about 3 days worth of events into a day and a half.

First, Tamra and Jason drove in just in time to catch Madison's big drama production. Tamra even sped through the entire state of Oklahoma to get here in time!

This picture will serve as a reminder to Steve and me to drive to Springfield to see your child's band performance or football game or dance recital or track meet- whatever the case may be! We owe you!!!


On Saturday, we took in two Zoe group worships, swam, shopped, ate and watched an entire episode of "So You Think You Can Dance." Whew.............


The next picture is another reminder of a way that we will "owe" Tamra and Jason.

That's right, Ella is playing another musical instrument given to her by Tamra and Jason. Fortunately, this one has a volume button and an off button, however, this is something we will remember in the future! :)


All in all, it was a great weekend and you all can visit anytime! See you at your house in July!

So You Wanna Be a Star ... star... star... star

Madison went to Midlothian's drama camp last week. She LOOOOVED it! She got up every morning ready to hit the stage- I don't know where she get's it! :) Anyway, she got the coveted role of "Pig 1" for the big performance. Unfortunately, the microphones were not working (and there was a screaming baby behind us), so I can't post her speaking. However, they did a cute dance at the end, so here are some pictures and a couple of videos of her dancing.

Starring as pig 1...........Madison Simpson

Ella and JD enjoy the show!

Curtain call... time for a longer shirt!

First things first... check out your audience. Aunt Tamra was frantically waving, but Madison couldn't see her.

Here's the dance. I left it running at the end because of the boy behind her. He even does the robot!!!

Ella's "Wii" Moment... if you know what I mean!

I think Ella's reaction to yoga is quite common... and funny!

Notice what is next to her as she is exercising........

her empty bowl of brownies.............

She Got Skunked!!

Last night I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water around 11:00 pm, when I heard Allie bark. I thought, "That's strange. She never barks...." However, it was 11:00 and I was tired, so I went back to bed. Steve went to the door about 5 minutes later to check on her for the night. He opened the door, she stuck her nose in and both floors of the house immediately filled with the smell of skunk. Apparently, Allie saw a skunk, barked at it, and got sprayed. She smelled horrible- and the house did too! Steve found a solution of stuff online to get rid of it. Now if we could just find a way to get it out of the house......

The girls watched from the safety of the kitchen!

$4 Goes a Long Way

Who new $4 could get you so much? Steve took Ella to Dollar General today to spend her birthday cash from my parents. He threw in an extra dollar to buy the lovely stroller.... which is just what she needed because she only has 3 others! :) Ella and her baby say thanks!

I have great in-laws- here's proof! :) Yesterday while I was cooking myself birthday brownies from scratch, not a box (Mom would be proud), the doorbell rang. I was greeted with these beautiful flowers from Dave and Pat. They are absolutely beautiful and smell great. You were so thoughtful and I appreciate it! Love you and see you in July!

Ella's First Birthday (Party)

Steve and I decided that 4 was a good age to start the birthday bash thing! Madison had her first party at 4 as well.

We had Ella's party at a park in Midlothian and invited her best friends from church. The kids played while the grown-ups talked. The kids ate dirt (Oreo cookies, vanilla and chocolate pudding with gummy worms on top) while the grown-ups tried to keep dirt off the kid's clothes. JD was the best! (See below! :) Ella got great presents, including the cheerleader outfit that she asked everyone for and a Hannah Montana guitar with a microphone. We had a great time!

I can't believe my "baby" is 4!

The kids loved eating dirt..............

........especially JD!

She got her cheerleader outfit! (Thanks Kennedy and Hunter!)

Being a rock star is very hard work!

Happy Birthday Ella!

Field Day

Who knew that a girl who hates to sweat could clean up at Field Day? Here are the stats:

Jump Rope- 1st place

Bowling- 1st place

Sack Race- 2nd place

Three-Legged Race- 2nd place

Indy 500- 1st place

The Indy 500 was a race between all of the 2nd grade classes, and Mrs. Stanford's class won! Her class got doughnuts the next morning for winning! Enjoy the slideshow!

Madison's Got Talent

After auditiong several second graders, Madison chose her friend Caylynn to sing with her in the talent show. Seriously, I walked in while she was on the phone with a friend only to hear her say, "Thanks for trying out. I will let you know if you make it."

Anyway, the girls tried out (for the teachers) and MADE IT!! We were all soooo excited! There were a variety of acts: lots of pianists, several dancers, a karate guy who broke a board over his head, and even a pogo jumper! Madison and Caylynn were the ONLY singers. We were very impressed and she did a great job. She does not appear to be nervous, even when singing in front of 400 kids, which is amazing to me. Here is a video of the girls singing.

I've given in...........

After about a year of stalking other people's blogs, I have decided to give in and start a Simpson family blog. I can only think of about 8 people who will be interested in what's going on in our lives, so this blog will be dedicated to those 8 people! :) I'm definitely not a writer so there will be lots of pictures on this blog. Since I'm not much of a photographer, you'll have to deal with my so-so pictures! This blog will probably be updated quite a bit during the summer, but once August gets here, we'll see.......




Anyway, I'll leave you with a picture of the cutest blondes in the world!