Another year (almost) gone

Aiden's birthday is going to roll around here in another two weeks, and with the end of his second year approaching Jen and I spent some time last night looking back at some older pictures. Almost exactly a year ago we did a post about Aiden and Bailey laying on the bed together while Aiden drank his milk. Here is the picture from back then:

And even though Bailey is nowhere to be seen in these pictures from a few days ago they show Aiden in the same spot, drinking his milk, one year older and wiser.

The days since that first picture was taken have flown by, and Aiden has changed so much from then 'till now. As much as sometimes it would feel nice to slow down time and keep Aiden just the way he is, it is exciting to see what the next year will bring, and the next, and the next...

Guess we'll have to just keep on going.

Rob's Top 5 Albums of the Year: 2009

So remember how last year I did a top 5 albums of the year for 2008 post?

No...?

Get out. Now.

Ok, if you're still here then I'll tell you that I am back at it with a new Top 5 albums post for good 'ol 2009. I'll remind you that I harbor no delusions of grandeur as to my muscial knowledge. So I won't even go as far as to say that these are close to being the best albums of the year. No, these are just my personal favorites from the last 365 days, music that I listened to and enjoyed enough to pass along. I did my best to include a variety of video and audio clips for each artist, so if you do want to dig a little deeper there is plenty to enjoy. And with that I give you:

#5- 'Zee Avi' by Zee Avi

Zee Avi is certainly a musical discovery story for the modern era. Originally from Malaysia, she was relatively unknown in the United States until videos from one of her performances in Kuala Lumpor were posted on You Tube and found by someone associated with Brushfire Records, an american record company. Brushfire signed Zee Avi and brought her brand of minimal ukulele and guitar infused folk/pop to the states. Thank goodness they did, as this album and this artist are absolutely too good to miss.

Best songs: Honey Bee, Bitter Heart, Kantoi

Also, watch this great 3 song "tiny desk concert" which includes Honey Bee, First of the Gang (Morissey cover) and Just You and Me.

#4- "Away We Go Soundtrack" by Alexi Murdoch

Ok, so my number four got onto this list on a bit of a technicality. Although this album did in fact come out in 2009, ninety percent of the songs are from Alexi Murdoch's 2006 album "Time Without Consequence." Oh well though, these songs were all new to me and they are so good (as was the movie) that I really couldn't leave them off my list of best songs of the year. In fact if these were songs that were all genuinely new this year, this album could easily have been my number one.

Best Songs: All of my Days, Orange Sky, Breathe

#3-"Troubador" by K'naan

K'naan was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and the experiences of his life there amidst a bloody civil war are the driving force behind his art and his music. Part hip-hop, part reggae, K'naan moves effortlessly between styles as all of his songs seem infused with a passion and earnestness not often seen in the commercial music world. Regardless of whether this is a type of music you usually enjoy I think that this album has a unviersal appeal that transcends the typical genres. In fact his song "Waving Flag" was chosen as the offical anthem for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Best Songs: Waving Flag, Dreamer, Fatima

Also, this is a live version of the World Cup version of Waving Flag. And this "Tiny Desk Concert" has the songs "Take a Minute", "Fatima" and "Waving Flag".

#2- "Dark was the Night" by various artists

The album Dark was the Night is notable for a few reasons, first being that it is a compilation from a variety of musicians, and second being that I actually stumbled upon this album based on a suggestion in the comments of last years top 5 albums post. (Good work Nicole!) The deal with this record it is that it was organized and compiled by the members of the band The National in order to raise funds for Red Hot Organization – an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture.

So anyway, obviously there is not one unifying "sound" throughout this album as so many different musicians are involved but believe me these 31 all original songs are not to be missed. If you enjoy Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Jose Gonzalez, Iron and Wine, The National, Grizzly Bear... and on and on, you'll find them all here plus lots of other great bands. Really... truly... do not miss out on this record, it is a stunner.

Click on the arrows to hear full versions of some of the best songs:

#1-"Up from Below" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

I'll tell you one thing folks, you won't find an album, a band (or a band name) like this one anywhere else. They are unique, dynamic, entertaining, unpredictable and, at times, quite odd. It's a pretty impressive combination and when you put all the pieces together you get the music that is, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. This group is my number one not just because their sound is unique, but because it is completely irresistable. I defy you to listen to their song 'Home' and not be whistling and toe-tapping along. This album is the perfect blend of very different and very good, and that is why it is number one.

Best Songs: Home, Up From Below, 40 Day Dream

Also, watch this "Tiny Desk Concert" including songs Janglin', Home, and 40 Day Dream.

Favorite Song of the Year

Honestly this was no real contest. Sure I loved Knaan's Waving Flag, Tightrope by Yeasayer and the Sufjan Stevens and Buck 65 collaboration We Are the Blood: Part 2, but in the end nothing really came close to Edward Sharpe's Home. It has become our family's unoffical theme song during this last year complete with impromptu dance parties by young and old alike. And in this day and age I have given this song what is possibly the greatest of all endorsements: it is currently my ringtone.

Just a couple of blockheads

Aiden's Uncle Richie taught him its cool to wear a block on your head.

Hmmmm........

You be the judge.

New Baby Alert!

We just wanted to say a huge congratulations to our friends Joe and Lindsey Getz, who as of Saturday are proud parents of the beautiful Dyllan Rose Getz. We can't wait to meet her!

Christmas 2009 Picture Bonanza Volume 3: The Finale

Well, I figure after the first or second week of January no one is going to want to look at Christmas pictures anymore, so I'm trying to get this last bunch in just under the wire.

One of our annual Christmas traditions is to get together with the extended Jones family. In recent years, this has taken place more often then not at the Jones outpost in State College Pennsylvania. Its quite the gathering, as you'll see, with contingents arriving from Colorado, Massachusetts, and this year even Uganda!

Its always a fun time together, and this year it was made even better by the newest generation of cute kiddos that provided endless entertainment and ample photo opportunities.

Thats it for Christmas this year, see you in December 2010!

Christmas 2009 Picture Bonanza Volume 2: Christmas Day

Our Christmas day was a busy one this year (is it ever not?)  But what made this year's especially notable is that in addition to our own quiet family celebration here at the house on Christmas morning, Jen also hosted most of the Weidner side of the family for Christmas dinner in the afternoon.  Despite being a full day, it was a good one.  And we were glad to be able to have Mom and Dad Weidner along with Grammy, Pop-Pop, Leanne and Darren celebrate with us.