Thanksgiving!

We had a great time over the Thanksgiving break. It has been a long and stressful fall, so I really needed the break. In fact, I'm not really ready to go back, but to school, but I will!

My entire family comes to our house for Thanksgiving. I love when we are all together! I cook dinner and everyone acts surprised that I can fix the meal (even though I've been cooking it for about 7 years, I think!) We always eat WAY too much (I start on Weight Watchers again tomorrow) play games and shop. I accidentally poisoned my mom with MSG, but she recovered quickly! Sorry Mom! We even shopped on Black Friday, although we decided that was a HUGE mistake and won't do it next year! Anyway, a fun time was had by all. Here are a few pictures to prove it! =)

Madison sang with some carolers! They were. um, not very good!

This is Ella's reaction to seeing Santa... yes, she's 5!

Right after deciding NOT to jump in the bounce house... right before we asked for our money back!

Madison loves Aunt Tamra and Uncle Jason!

Drinkin' with Grandpa!


Dad and Tamra

Mom, Dad, Ella and my diva, aka Madison!

I think I look like my dad in this picture!

The girls!

Mom and Dad

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Been Awhile!

So I haven't posted anything since Ella's birthday... in June! What can I say?? This has been an incredible busy period in our life! We had a great summer, but it went by way too fast! We have been incredibly busy with school and church this fall, so I haven't had much time to blog! I did just get a new laptop, so I plan to blog more frequently- look another excuse! Oh well. I am turning over a new leaf and promise to be a better blogger, so check back soon! In the meantime, enjoy a few pictures from the fall!

I just found out I can update my blog from my phone. This might change my blog for good!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

She's How Old??? What???

I absolutely cannot believe that my baby is five! Where has the time gone? By the way, the girls are aging, but I am not! :)

We had to celebrate Ella's birthday a day early because of the crazy Sunday that we had on her actual birthday. First, we had our regular 2 services to sing at, followed by a dinner to help out the breast cancer walkers, followed by a long band practice, followed by our Turning Point service. Plus, we were going on vacation the next day so I also had to pack! Whew, I'm tired just thinking about it now! So, Ella got to open her presents from us and eat her cake a little early.


Do you like her new haircut? That is the fix to her cutting one side of her hair into a mullet. I cried when it happened, but the professional haircut is growing on me.


Ready to open presents!


She's a girl after my own heart... SHOES!!!


Ella feeding her baby she named MacKenzie.


Ella got a Hannah Montana Dance Like a Rockstar video that came with a Hannah Montana wig. Somehow, Madison ended up with the new wig, while Ella got one of the old ones (can you tell?)

Happy birthday Ella!

(Stay tuned for a birthday party post coming soon!)

I'm a Proud Mama!

Madison did a great job in third grade this year, and it showed on awards day! She received the English award and the music award for her class. She also made the A honor roll all 9 weeks (one of two in her class and about 12 in the whole third grade.) She was also commended on the Reading and Math TAKS. Yeah Madison!


Receiving one of her numerous awards!


Madison and her teacher, Mrs. Wesson


Have I mentioned that I'm sooo happy to be at the same school?

Madison's Got (more) Talent

Madison was in her school talent show again this year. This year she chose to sing a Hannah Montana song called " You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home." She chose her outfit- her words- teenage clothes, which was a fun change from the school uniform. There were only three singers in the entire K-4 talent show, and two of them were from our church. We've got lots of talented kids there (who are lucky enough to get stage experience at church!) Anyway, without further adieu, I give you Madison!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

By the way, this is the last performance EVER in the OLD gym with the audience sitting in the MOST uncomfortable bleachers EVER created! HALLELUJAH!!

Yes, I know it's summer and I should be updating quite frequently, but frankly... I'm being lazy! A lot happened at the end of school, so I do have lot to report!

I got to go to Madison's field trip this year. Oh wait, I was teaching there and took my own class too! It's great to be at the same school. Anyway, I had 11 parents going, so I split up my class and took Madison and her friend around the museum. (Quite a difference from last year when I had to beg to get one parent to attend!)

Every picture I took of the girls looks something like this... They "posed" for every picture!

This is the saloon. There was a giant stuffed bear behind me and the girls were scared. Let's hope they always stay this scared of saloon-type buildings.

This was the printer's building. When you think printers, you think magazine and then models and then posing, right? That's what these girls think!

Madison was scared of the schoolteacher in the one-room schoolhouse. She even had one "student" stand in the corner with his nose in the circle. Ahhh... the good ole days!

We had a great time... but we were pooped in the end!

The Graduate

Ella is officially grown-up. She decided that about two weeks before her preschool graduation. She really did look grown-up on the stage in her cap and cat (her words, not mine!) I was pleasantly surprised! Plus, while other kids on the stage were ripping each other's caps off, she sat with her legs crossed, told other people to be quiet and told other kids to wave at their parents. She forgot to strike her pose after getting her certificate, but she went right back to her mark and smiled! It was really cute. So, next year, Madison, Ella and I will all be a the same school! I can't wait to drive to one place in the morning (and of course I will enjoy not writing the check for childcare each month!)

Before the graduation


She can always find the camera (and the light!)


Singing her heart out!


The Tiger class


Something was funny!


Getting her diploma from Mrs. Crissy


Mrs. Tricia- the Tiger teacher


Ella with Mrs. Lesa and Mrs. Crissy


Sisterly love (for the moment anyway!)


Grandma and Grandpa even came in for the big occasion!



Finally, enjoy the video of Ella "helping" her classmates and getting her diploma!

Ella's Graduation from Kristen Simpson on Vimeo.

My Latest Hobby

In my free time... (insert laugh here) I have found that I enjoy making videos. When I come into lots of money... (insert laugh here) I plan on starting my own video making business! Anyway, here is a video that I did completely on my own- from the shooting, to the editing and everything in between. We played it at church for Mother's Day. Enjoy!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ella's Baptism

Ella told her babysitter that she would have to wear goggles when she got baptized. She doesn't want the water to hurt her eyes.

She might be considering converting to a religion that sprinkles...

Or maybe she'll just bring her equipment for the big day!

AHH... Hot Springs

So I am very relaxed tonight. We just returned from a weekend with my family at Hot Springs. We did... NOTHING!!! And it was so much fun! We talked, ate, played games, ate some more, watched the rain on the lake, played some more games and stayed up way too later! It was a blast. (See below)

I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful family!

Revelation Song

Yesterday for our Easter service, most of our praise team sang "Revelation Song." It was very powerful and a little different from what we have done in the past during special services.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

LTC (or organized chaos)

We survived our first LTC experience! For those of you unfamiliar with this, LTC, or Leadership Training for Christ is a convention for 3rd through 12th graders. The kids compete in various events ranging from art, writing, leadership, drama and bible reading. Madison competed in 4 events: Drama, Chorus, Puppets and Bible Quiz. I coached her drama group and chorus group. We practiced every Sunday, which was fun, but I'm definitely glad to have my Sunday afternoon nap time back!

The convention was held this weekend and there were about 6,000 people in attendance. I was amazed at how many people were roaming around the hotel. I kept thinking about the people who just happened to be staying at the Hyatt this weekend. There were people everywhere! We could not get on the elevator because of all of the people. In fact, everyone just used the staff stairs to get everywhere- it was amazing!

We had lots of fun! Madison had a great time spending the weekend with her friends, and she had so much fun competing. She did great too! Her drama and chorus got gold medals and her puppet and Bible Quiz group got silver medals. I'm so proud of her!

LTC live (our dress rehearsal at church the week before the convention)


Warming up for chorus


Singing "This Little Light of Mine." They sang "We Will, We Will Rock You" with the words "His life, His Love Will Rock You," along with all of the words rewritten. It was sooo cute!


The dinner of champions!

Thank goodness for the DS. Ella had to spend quite some time sitting around!

Getting the bald spot in her puppet fixed!

Ella and me (is that right????)

Packing up to go home

Getting her Bible Quiz medal

Madison and her puppet coaches

Her drama group's reaction to finding out they got gold!

Here's her drama. I had to put together LTC live from church with the actual convention, so ignore the cut. There's also a lot of background noise from the convention that I couldn't get rid of. Oh well, enjoy!


LTC drama from Kristen Simpson on Vimeo.