Here's the official photo from the upcoming film "Ocean's 13," starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. I wouldn't usually have any reason to post this, except that at the time the photo was taken, I was an extra, sitting four rows back and to the right of Matt Damon. I had always wanted to see a real film set, and this was pretty incredible. I mean, if you're going to be an extra in any film, it's not too bad to be in a scene with three of the top actors in Hollywood. I can't wait to see the film when it opens, and see if you can see a blurred image of me for 1.3 seconds.

Eveythng has been going great with Caleb. He came home on Friday of last week, and has been a good baby. Connor loves him, and Chloe's slowly figuring out that things aren't the same, but she's doing fine. Annette's dad came into town last night, and couldn't wait to see his fifteenth grandchild.

We were blesssed to welcome Caleb Benjamin Simpson into the world Wednesday night, January 24, at 11PM. For me, the best thing in the world is to watch your child being born, and this was no disappointment! He is a beautiful 8 pound baby boy. Annette was induced at 8PM (she was showing signs of preclampsia), and gave birth three hours later. We had a terrific doctor, Joel Schwartz, and he couldn't have been more reassuring and kind.
Benjamin is my mom's dad's name (my granddad), and she is thrilled to have his namesake in her family.
We took Annette to the nw St. Rose campus, San Martine, because Sienna was totally full. It is a beautiful new hospital south of the 2-15 off Durango. it wasn't our first choice, but in retrospect, we are very glad to have gone there. It has only been open a couple of weeks, and Caleb was the only baby there the night we came, so we got SPECIAL attention.
Annette is doing great, and should come home this afternoon. Connor saw his brother, and is so excited, but Chloe and Nanna have yet to meet him. We're hoping Chloe will take to him right away, but we know she misses mom, and will want her exclusively when she comes home.
God is good! Thank you, Lord, for our little baby boy...

It's been such a long while since I blogged, and lots have happened. I don't know- sometimes you get in the habit, and then you get out of the habit. I don't have too much of an excuse- I had the week between Christmas and New Years off, but with the in-laws in town, the busyness of the holidays, and an expecting wife, I didn't get to it. I also have put a little more attention to my two YouTube sites. I have two channels- dsimpson41 and thirstysmithers- and between the two, I have had over 18,000 hits in the last few months. Here's a recent video I posted from a TV show I used to direct on Sunday mornings back in the late 80's- early 90's, live at 7AM. Yes, LIVE at 7AM. The gospel group Brush Arbor came for a visit, and this was one of the songs they did. I love this one...

We had a good Christmas. How about you?
Chloe is walking with the help of a little walker thingy. I will post the video tomorrow if I can get to it (yeah, right)....
I wrote a Christmas newsletter about my family. If you'd like one, please e-mail me at dsimpson41@yahoo.com.
I'll post again soon!

Annette got up this morning at 3AM to let the cat out (there's got to be a better way), and found it snowing outside. She came in and told m, and we both went outside to look, and I ttok some photos. Not having anything better to do, I e-mailed the photo of the cat to our friend Leah, who sings on our Praise Team at church, and who produces the Las Vegas CBS morning show. She put Whiskers on TV, so that was cool. I stayed up, and so I'm sure I'll be dozing as we try tyo put on our Living Nativity tonight. Of all times, we get the COLDEST spell we can remember in a while. It's goin to be pretty good, though, and I'll post photos when I gets 'em...

I don't know exactly why it's taken so long to blog, but it's been almost four weeks exactly. In the past month we went to Yuma, AZ for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful visit with our family... Connor has performed in two preschool programs... Chloe is almost walking (any day now)... We have prepared and tonight presented a terrific Christmas praise and worship service... and best of all, we have had the privilege of taking a "peek" at our litle baby boy, who is on the way. If you want to see more of our little one, you can viit the website www.sneakpeekultrasound.com, and use the password 1229nv. As for me, I'm one proud pop, and mom's been glowing, too. All is going well with her pregnancy, although she's had quite a bit of contractions.
Next Tuesday through Thursday we're having a Living Nativity out in front of the church. The temps are going to be close to freezing, and we're using live animals (when I'm asked the question about live animals, I always respond that I'd rather they be live than dead), and you've probably heard that certain groups are protesting, so we'll let you know if anything exciting happens.

Pastor Rob preached a sermon on Zaccheus this morning, and it reminded me of Connors spin on this great bible story. We tell this story together at bedtime frequently. Our version is pretty much like Luke's account, except when little Zaccheus climbs up the sycamore tree and sits out on a limb, he almost falls. Connor then gives the old, "Whoa, whoa, WHOA!" Then after Zaccheus promises to give half his money to the poor and pay back those he stole from four times over, Connor adds, "Then Zaccheus got bigger, and bigger, and BIGGER!"
Connor also did something tonight at dinner he used to do a lot, but we never figured out where he got it from. At the end of the meal prayer, he says, "In Jesus name, Amen." Then he exclaims, "Rock and Roll Band!"
Chloe finally finished what she started tonight. We went to Chipotle's, and she grabbed my coke cup in a split second. I caught her, and wrestled it away. At the end of the meal I went for a lid for the coke, and as soon as I got up she grabbed it again and spilled it all over her.
What's it gonna be like with three kids?

Annette and I had a real treat last night. One of our band members, Steve Burris, and his wife Melanie took us to go see Allison Krauss and Union Station at the Orleans Arena. The Orleans is my favorite venue to go see a concert- both the arena and the showroom have the best sound in town- and it was a blast. My personal favorite moment of the night was when her band member Dan Timinski sang his hit "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" from "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Annette and I wore the soundtrack CD out when we first moved to Mobile, and we really enjoyed hearing him sing it live. I was half looking for Charles Durning to come dancing out on the stage like he did in the movie. She ended by singing "Down to the River to Pray" a capella with the band.

I just got photos from my good friend Hexel Hernando that he took at my baby girl Chloe's first birthday. Thought you'd enjoy this shot!

Our friend Hexel Hernando took these great photos for me Halloween night. Connor is such a ham, and Hexel is such a good photographer, so here are a couple of shots.

Chloe was so cute, and she and her daddy are bonding more and more each day. When I come home, it's instant smiles, and when I leave he room, the tears start to flow. I love her...

Connor and dad are going to the final Green Valley Football game tomorow. Connor is excited about going, and now asks if we can see a THREE point conversion.