Boys in the House

After about seven months of living in a house with two boys we've come to the (probably forgone) conclusion that yes, it's crazy and no, we haven't seen anything yet.  You wouldn't think that a four year old and a seven month old could cause too much of a ruckus, but somehow they manage.  They also have a lot of fun together, which is certainly great to see.  We haven't been the best about taking pictures of the two of them together over the last few months, but we're hoping to get back on track.  Here's a bunch:

April Update

Unlike in February and March there was not one "big" event that defined the month of April.  Sure we did stuff in April, but we sure didn't take a lot of pictures. So we'll have to make do with what we've got.  Also, these pictures are not the best.  Most were taken with a camera phone.  Like I said, bear with me.  And so, April:

Brady continues to become more and more mobile.  First he was rolling over. Then he was rolling over and over.  Now if you turn your head for a few seconds he'll roll himself under the ottoman and find a dog toy to put in his mouth.  Seriously, this one is going to be trouble.

April was warm, definitely warmer then usual, so lots of time was spent out in the yard and garden.  Aiden has gotten to the age now where when he "helps" in the garden the ratio of "destruction caused" versus "actual help given" comes out more on the positive end, so that's nice.  Also, there were Easter eggs in April, lots and lots of Easter eggs.  Every time we went somewhere someone was hiding Easter eggs for Aiden.  Lots of Easter eggs = lots of Easter candy, which was a-ok with Aiden.

I ran a race.  Actually the race was in the last weekend of March, but you don't know that so we'll pretend it was in April.  It was a 10k distance race, all on dirt trails.  It was super hard, but also pretty fun.

Jen continued her on-going mission to make our house look more and more amazing (she made those new curtains.)  Plus, it was her birthday!  We got to have a couple of get together birthday parties in April, and more recently we pulled out all the stops for an overnight in the city ballet birthday extravaganza.  Just Jen and I for that one.  We ate some really good food, walked around the city and saw Peter Pan at the Academy of Music.  A top notch birthday for sure.

Well that's April.  Now I can officially say were all "caught up" right? Right.  See you in May.

March Update

What'd we do in March?  We went to Florida.  That's what we did in March.  Sure, we only spent 5 days out of the whole month actually in Florida, but it was a big deal and a fun trip- so when we think of March, we'll think of Florida.  It was a great trip, short of course, but totally worth it.  We went to the gulf coast town of Fort Meyers beach, mostly because we'd been there before and really liked it.  In fact we stayed in the same hotel (even the same room) as we had before, so everything was literally just as we'd remembered it.  A+ views, beaches & pool- what could be better?  Take a look.

Aiden spent most of his time doing this:

Brady loved doing a lot of this:

And all four of us spent a good portion of every day doing more or less this:

On the last night of our stay we ventured out onto the beach at sunset to attempt to get some decent family portrait shots.  There were some false starts to be sure, but we did get some good ones in the end.  Thanks, by the way, to beach-walking lady who took pity on us, stopped, and took most these pictures. Lady, we couldn't have done it without you.  Thanks.

Mere seconds after this picture was taken both children plunged face first into the sand.  It seemed like a good idea.  Crying baby with a mouth full of sand = photo shoot over.

Florida, you were good to us.  I wouldn't be surprised if we all saw a lot more of you in the years to come.  Until then.

February Update

February was all about the birthdays.  Well, really one person's birthday, celebrated multiple times.  In fact, this individual's birthday was celebrated so much and so often it was hard to tell when one party stopped and the next one started.  Who's birthday could be cause for this type of month long non-stop cake & ice cream binge fest?

Obviously.

It did kind of seem like every time we turned around it was time for another party, but Aiden's big "friend" birthday party took place at the nearby Phoenixville YMCA.  This ended up being a great situation as all the kids got to burn some of their endless energy in the gymnastics room before sitting down to recharge with cake and snacks.  Super simple and super fun.

Not wanting to be left out in the cold as the birthday train chugged on, the whole family also came over to the house for the second wave of birthday celebrations.  Party #2 featured fewer trampolines, but at least as many sugary treats. This should not come as a surprise given the party's particular theme: gumballs.  And yes there were gumballs- many, many gumballs.  There were also lots of aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, tons 'o gifts, a great cake (homemade by mom) and one very cool Spiderman costume.  Talk about a packed house.

I also found this picture.  When did this little celebratory moment happen?  Where did that cupcake come from? Is that even our child?  Honestly I don't remember. But there it is.

 Like I said:  February = birthdays.

Lately, at the Abode.

The post-holiday lull is still in full effect here at the Jones Abode, and we've all been enjoying the relative peace and quiet that has (so far) accompanied the new year.  We've been kept somewhat busy of course with all the usual stuff- plus Aiden started two new classes at the Phoenixvlle YMCA: a swim class and a sports class.  Despite not having any major events to report we  did want to share some pictures, and a couple videos, of what's been going on 'round here.

We introduced Brady to the baby jumper last week.  Following in the foot steps of his older brother, he has quickly become a bouncing fool.  Observe.

January did recently actually feel like winter when the first snow storm of the year arrived last weekend.  Aiden's snow-related enthusiasm was infectious and before long we found ourselves at Mom and Dad Jones' house, sleds in hand.  Aiden had a blast and (had all the the snow not already melted) would probably still be out there on the hill.

2012. So far, so good.

Moment for Music - 2011

In an alternate universe somewhere I listen to and review new music for a living.  In this universe, however, I do it once a year on this blog (for free!)  So here we go: Rob's top albums of the year 2011 version, better late than never.

Quick note, instead of providing website links or audio files this year I have one link, found below.  Clicking on it will take you to a Spotify playlist where you can listen to every single song that I am going to mention here (plus the rest of my 2011 playlist) in their entirety, completely free.  If you don't have Spotify the link will take you to a download page.  Download it now, it's free and awesome.

The full playlist can be found here------> Best Of 2011

Honorable Mention- The Antlers- Burst Apart

I came to this album pretty late.  So late in fact that I stumbled across it while reading an actual music blogger's "best albums of 2011" post back in mid December.  Since then however, I have been almost completely helpless to get this music off of my iPod and out of my brain.  I just can't stop listening- which led me to feel equally unable to leave this one off of any "year end" list of my own.  The last time I remember feeling this obsessive (and compulsive) about an album was The National's "Boxer" in 2007.  And just like "Boxer" "Burst Apart" is a long, slow, simmering burn of a record.  Despite being handicapped by a short listening period, this album has made a lasting impression- and had it been a little bit longer since we first met "Burst Apart" could have landed much (much) higher up on this list.  It's that good.  Favorite songs: I Don't Want Love, Hounds.

#5 M83- Hurry Up, Were Dreaming

M83 is all over the map.  In a good way.  At times throughout "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" you'll think you are listening to a Ferris Bueller era 1980s mix tape, other times to a previously unheard musical genre beamed directly into your brain from outer space.  Try and keep up.  The "songs" here often feel more like sound vignettes, starting small, swelling to epic levels before quickly fading- leaving behind a space where you can't help but want more.  Ultimately, the best way that I can describe this album is to say that it sounds like a yet-to-be-written science fiction, outer space, rock-opera.  If that sounds like your kind of thing give this a listen, if not -try it anyway (you'll probably like it.) Favorite Songs: Midnight City, Year One, One UFO.

#4- Bon Iver- Bon Iver

It's no big surprise to find a Bon Iver recording amongst my favorites of the year.  If anything, it may be a surprise that this album is not my runaway number one. Sorry Justin V,  there was just too much other really exceptional music this year.  In this recording Bon Iver retains the trademark hushed falsetto, while adding a richer, lusher "full band" sound.  The result is something that is both clearly within the distinct Bon Iver style while deliberately moving away from the low-fi, stripped down vibe that they've used to such great effect in past recordings. "For Emma Forever Ago: Part 2" this is not, which to my ear may always limit how much I can truly fall for this (or any future Bon Iver) record.  "For Emma," was so exquisite, that anything else that comes along may always pale just a little bit in comparison.  Favorite Songs: Washington, Holocene.

#3 The Decemberists- The King is Dead

The Decemberists have been around for a while, making some mighty fine music all the while.  It wasn't until this year, and this album however, that any of their songs really grabbed me by the shoulders and shook.  I fell hard for this album, enough that when I was listening to it back in January it was pretty much a sure thing that it would be in my end-of-the-year top five albums.  This particular bunch of songs has a loose, plucky, rambling-storyteller vibe that makes you imagine the album being pieced together in some run-down Oregon barn (it was).  The lyrics here are particularly crisp and compelling, and (perhaps most tellingly) the songs still sound just as good to me now as they did twelve months ago.  Favorite songs: January Hymn, June Hymn.

#2 James Blake- James Blake

When it comes to James Blake I can say for certain that I have never heard a musician do so much with so little.  Spare to the point of being nearly minimal, Blake's simple electronic beats and haunting vocals merge together to become something much more powerful than the sum of their individual parts.  Songs are ruthlessly stripped down too their most essential pieces (some consisting of a single phrase uttered in repetition) but you hardly notice, and certainly don't mind.  Getting lost in the gentle drone, song after song, is almost an inevitability-but one that I certainly wish would go on and on.  Favorite Songs: Limit to Your Love, Lindisfarne 1 & 2.

#1 Adele -21

                          

There may be some "pop" music whose popularity is derived from the fact that it casts the widest possible net, appealing to the lowest common denominator.  It is slick and manufactured- catchy, but ultimately forgettable. This is not that pop music.  During this year Adele's 21 has dominated the radio airwaves, the album sales charts, and (soon) every single music award show.  The reason? This music is just crazy good.  That's basically all there is to it, and why bother complicating something that is pretty darn simple.  The songs? Soaring and soulful, without ever approaching melodramatic. The voice? Absolutely electric, and completely unforgettable.  I can say with complete honesty and very little hyperbole that I think that "21" will be remembered as a classic of it's time, and when people look back and think about music in the year 2011- they'll think of Adele.  Favorite Songs: Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You.

 Songs of the Year: 
5- Limit to Your Love- James Blake
4- Cruel- St. Vincent
3- Midnight City- M83
2- Hounds -The Antlers
1- Someone Like You- Adele