I was looking over last years top ten list and I had commented then that 2010 was such a hard year to narrow down to 10 songs. Well, honestly I don't know if I was too busy to discover new music or if just nothing struck my fancy, but this year was easy. I was honestly worried I wouldn't have 10 to be worth of the list, but I managed! So without further ado...
10. Caroline by Brandi Carlile - I love Brandi Carlile and I finally got the chance to see her perform at ACL this year. She was my favorite performance of the entire festival, and even though she didn't actually perform this song, I did enjoy hearing her talk about how much she loves unicorns and Never Ending Story. I feel like we could be friends.
9. Helena Beat by Foster the People - While Bella prefers Pumped Up Kicks, I really like this song by FTP better. Maybe just because I heard PUK a bazillion times and got a little tired of it? Either way, this song had me groovin' in my seat when it came on the radio.
8. Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - This song was introduced to me on our girls trip to Destin last year and I have loved it ever since. I love the whistling and I am a sucker for horns. Plus it is just a sweet song.
7. Ready to Start by Arcade Fire - The latest album by Arcade Fire was really good. And if you have never seen them perform live, do it ASAP. I have seen them twice now at ACL and they are amazing live. They put on the coolest, funkiest show, so that even if you aren't a fan of their music, you still get drawn in. I love this song. I feel like it is about being brave enough to break away from things that hold you back so you can have a fresh start.
6. Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise by the Avett Brothers - I first heard the song 'I and Love and You', and decided I needed the album. This song is by far my favorite on there. The hippie in me loves the line "When nothing is owed, deserved or expected. Then your life doesn't change by the man that's elected". If only....
5. Just Stay Here Tonight by Augustana - Not the first time Augustana has made my list. I love the band and they released a new album this year. The whole album is really amazing, but this is my favorite song on it.
4. Here Goes by Bebo Norman - I love this guys voice. Something about it is just warm and gravelly. This song sort of has a similar message to Ready to Start, but this is a religious version I guess. Just a great song about trusting that God knows more than you do and you should go where He leads you, even though you may be scared.
3. Heart Like Mine by Miranda Lambert - I am pretty sure I heard this song last year, since House That Built Me is on my list from last year, but I absolutely LOVE this song and listened to it over and over this past year. I realize it is not a 'religious' song, but I know as a Christian I worry that I am not being good enough or doing what God wants me to do or whatever it is. Then I hear this song, and I just think 'Exactly!' I don't have to be perfect to love God, and sometimes I wonder if what I think is important and what God does are totally different. I mean does He really care if I drink a glass of wine (or two, or three)? Probably not if I am loving my neighbor, right?
2. Children of God by Third Day - This is my favorite Christian band. I love all their songs. If you have never listened to When the Rain Comes by them, especially if you have children, do so immediately. You will be sobbing by the end. But I digress. This is my favorite song of theirs this year. Me and Bella both love to listen to it and it melts my heart to hear her sing along.
1. Down in the Valley by The Head and the Heart - This year was a no brainer for the number one song. A year ago I had never heard of this band, and when ACL announced they were playing I had no idea how excited I would be to see them in a few months. I got this song as a free download somewhere, probably Starbucks, and FELL. IN. LOVE. I seriously love this song. I remember thinking it was one of the best songs I had heard in years. It is folksy and chill and beautiful.
Honorable Mentions - Only a few this year, but here they are - I and Love and You by the Avett Brothers, Don't Turn Out the Lights by NKOTBSB (no I am not joking), Shot in the Dark by Augustana, Sprawl II by Arcade Fire
Thoughts? Any good songs that I should have been listening to this past year and didn't? I would love to hear what your favorite songs were in 2011!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Bella's Favorite Songs
If you know me, you know I love music. I have my iPod or iPhone going on shuffle pretty much all the time in the kitchen or car or whatever, so Isabella hears it a lot. And I have to say she has pretty good taste! In the last few months she has come up with what her favorite songs are and she will request them all the time in the car. Every year since I started this blog I have put out my top ten songs of the year list. So before I put that list out this year, I thought I would share with you Isabella's top songs. Most of them were either on my list last year, or are this year, so again, I am proud to say she has good taste. =)
5. - Little Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham and the Pharoah - She is obsessed with the story of Little Red Riding Hood right now, so when she heard this song, she literally gasped out loud. Of course, when we tell her the story we tell her how the wolf was really just misunderstood and was a nice wolf.
4. - Children of God by Third Day - This one has posed some interesting questions. When she hears it she tells me she wants to see God and Jesus and I don't really know how to answer that. I tell her they live up in heaven and she looks at the sky and says she can see them. I just say ohhh really? Oookkk...
3. - Shot in the Dark by Augustana - This is her current fave.
2. - The Cave by Mumford and Sons - She loves how they hold the notes at the start of the sentences in the chorus and she will belt it out and shake her head. So cute.
1. - Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People - This is by far the biggest request I get. I sing along and change the words gun and bullet, to gum and belly. I would rather her not sing gangster type lyrics, especially at school or something.
As you can see, she has no country songs that she has taken a liking to, and she also begs me to turn off Adele's 'Set Fire to the Rain'. So I obviously still have some work to do in our musical education, but I love that she is so in to it!
5. - Little Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham and the Pharoah - She is obsessed with the story of Little Red Riding Hood right now, so when she heard this song, she literally gasped out loud. Of course, when we tell her the story we tell her how the wolf was really just misunderstood and was a nice wolf.
4. - Children of God by Third Day - This one has posed some interesting questions. When she hears it she tells me she wants to see God and Jesus and I don't really know how to answer that. I tell her they live up in heaven and she looks at the sky and says she can see them. I just say ohhh really? Oookkk...
3. - Shot in the Dark by Augustana - This is her current fave.
2. - The Cave by Mumford and Sons - She loves how they hold the notes at the start of the sentences in the chorus and she will belt it out and shake her head. So cute.
1. - Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People - This is by far the biggest request I get. I sing along and change the words gun and bullet, to gum and belly. I would rather her not sing gangster type lyrics, especially at school or something.
As you can see, she has no country songs that she has taken a liking to, and she also begs me to turn off Adele's 'Set Fire to the Rain'. So I obviously still have some work to do in our musical education, but I love that she is so in to it!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
First Trip to the Aquarium
Isabella had never been to the Aquarium in Downtown Dallas before, and I had never been except for an event one time. So we planned a play date with our friends Kyli and Caroline to go last weekend. It was a blast and I was amazed at the array of animals they have! I figured it was just fish, but no. There are penguins, snakes, a jaguar, monkeys and a sloth! I don't think I had ever seen a sloth before but they are CUTE. Apparently they don't come down from their tree but like once a month to use the restroom. Guess that is where the name comes from.
Here is Caroline with the flamingos - her favorite!
Isabella had a blast. She loved looking at the sharks and she has been standing on one leg like a flamingo ever since. It is also funny how people are just innately scared of snakes. I have always tried to act like they are no big deal. Like when we see pictures and we have seen them at the zoo. But we got up to the python cage and I said 'Bella look at the snake!', and before she saw it in the cage she immediately gasps, jumps towards me and searches the ground for a snake. Ok, the child has never seen a snake on the ground in her entire life. Isn't it just weird how kids know things? She wasn't crazy about looking at it in the cage either.
Here they are with the Jaguar. Sorry for the crummy iPhone pictures once again! I hear the new iPhone takes great pics, so hopefully one day soon my blog will look a little better. =)
Her absolute favorite part, though, was when randomly these Aboriginal dancers came out and did some tribal dance with incense and such. She still talks about it and shows me how the dance goes. Not sure if you can even see it, but up on that balcony is one of the dancers.
Here is Caroline with the flamingos - her favorite!
Isabella had a blast. She loved looking at the sharks and she has been standing on one leg like a flamingo ever since. It is also funny how people are just innately scared of snakes. I have always tried to act like they are no big deal. Like when we see pictures and we have seen them at the zoo. But we got up to the python cage and I said 'Bella look at the snake!', and before she saw it in the cage she immediately gasps, jumps towards me and searches the ground for a snake. Ok, the child has never seen a snake on the ground in her entire life. Isn't it just weird how kids know things? She wasn't crazy about looking at it in the cage either.
Here they are with the Jaguar. Sorry for the crummy iPhone pictures once again! I hear the new iPhone takes great pics, so hopefully one day soon my blog will look a little better. =)
Her absolute favorite part, though, was when randomly these Aboriginal dancers came out and did some tribal dance with incense and such. She still talks about it and shows me how the dance goes. Not sure if you can even see it, but up on that balcony is one of the dancers.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Christmas 2011
We had another wonderful Christmas this year. We started it out taking some pictures on our front porch for our Christmas card. This one is my favorite, although not the one we used.
The week before Christmas, we celebrated with the Trents. We had Christmas dinner at Perry's (SO good if you haven't eaten there) and opened gifts the next morning. Here is Bella opening her new pink Uggs from her Grammy and Poppy.
Here she is in her new apron.
The next week we went to see Santa, and she didn't cry this year! She had been practicing what to ask him for and it took a little prompting once she got up on his lap, but she smiled for the picture! Afterward we went to Starbucks and took some pictures of Bella in front of the huge Christmas tree at the Galleria.
We ended up having 'Christmas morning' on December 23rd so that we could head to Tyler that night. Bella got an OU hat. I wouldn't have mentioned it, but she does look pretty cute in it. =)
The thing she had been asking for the entire month before was a Cinderella doll.
She also loves high heels. I think she now has like seven pairs or something.
We headed to Tyler the Friday night before and Bella immediately got sick. She had the most horrible cough and Christmas Eve she just felt awful. All she wanted to do was snuggle and watch TV. I honestly kind of love those times, although I hate that she feels so bad. Here is a cute one of her laying on Bopaw.
By Christmas morning she felt a lot better, thank goodness. The last present my parents brought out for her was this dollhouse. She LOVED it.
Jason got a helmet so he can go race his car on the race track. He is so cool. =)
The week before Christmas, we celebrated with the Trents. We had Christmas dinner at Perry's (SO good if you haven't eaten there) and opened gifts the next morning. Here is Bella opening her new pink Uggs from her Grammy and Poppy.
Here she is in her new apron.
The next week we went to see Santa, and she didn't cry this year! She had been practicing what to ask him for and it took a little prompting once she got up on his lap, but she smiled for the picture! Afterward we went to Starbucks and took some pictures of Bella in front of the huge Christmas tree at the Galleria.
We ended up having 'Christmas morning' on December 23rd so that we could head to Tyler that night. Bella got an OU hat. I wouldn't have mentioned it, but she does look pretty cute in it. =)
The thing she had been asking for the entire month before was a Cinderella doll.
She also loves high heels. I think she now has like seven pairs or something.
We headed to Tyler the Friday night before and Bella immediately got sick. She had the most horrible cough and Christmas Eve she just felt awful. All she wanted to do was snuggle and watch TV. I honestly kind of love those times, although I hate that she feels so bad. Here is a cute one of her laying on Bopaw.
By Christmas morning she felt a lot better, thank goodness. The last present my parents brought out for her was this dollhouse. She LOVED it.
Jason got a helmet so he can go race his car on the race track. He is so cool. =)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Isabella's First Haircut
So I know what you are thinking. 'Wow, first haircut huh? I knew you were behind on blogging, but seriously when was this like a year ago?' Annnnd you would be wrong. I have been putting off and putting off her first haircut. Even though it was getting stringy and was constantly in her face, I just somehow couldn't bear the thought of cutting it! Is that weird? Oh well.
After about the hundredth person said 'wow her hair is SO long!', I figured they were just trying to be nice about saying she needed a haircut. =) So the week before Thanksgiving we went down to Snip Its in Snider Plaza and got her very first haircut! She was really excited about it.
She was so good the whole time. She sat totally still and did whatever the hairdresser told her to do.
They styled it so cute with a little bow. I can never get it to look this cute!
And yes, it is still pretty long. I couldn't let them cut more than like half an inch. Baby steps you know?
After about the hundredth person said 'wow her hair is SO long!', I figured they were just trying to be nice about saying she needed a haircut. =) So the week before Thanksgiving we went down to Snip Its in Snider Plaza and got her very first haircut! She was really excited about it.
She was so good the whole time. She sat totally still and did whatever the hairdresser told her to do.
They styled it so cute with a little bow. I can never get it to look this cute!
And yes, it is still pretty long. I couldn't let them cut more than like half an inch. Baby steps you know?
Halloween 2011
This year Isabella went trick or treating for the first time ever! I had been asking what she wanted to be for Halloween for a while, and we went back and forth through several options, but she finally decided on Snow White.
We went trick or treating with our two neighbors. This picture was really the best one we have of all three of them where they are all in focus, even if they're not smiling. The elephant is Felix and Minnie Mouse is Kate.
Bella thoroughly enjoyed getting to go to every house on our block and ask people for candy. She would just reach in to their bowl before they even had a chance to get any candy out. We will have to work on that for next year. =)
Here she is enjoying the fruits of her labor. We let her have a few pieces when she got home.
Have I also mentioned how I LOVE our neighborhood? There were so many kids out trick or treating we actually ran out of candy around 7:30 and had to turn off the lights. Next year we will know to stock up!
We went trick or treating with our two neighbors. This picture was really the best one we have of all three of them where they are all in focus, even if they're not smiling. The elephant is Felix and Minnie Mouse is Kate.
Bella thoroughly enjoyed getting to go to every house on our block and ask people for candy. She would just reach in to their bowl before they even had a chance to get any candy out. We will have to work on that for next year. =)
Here she is enjoying the fruits of her labor. We let her have a few pieces when she got home.
Have I also mentioned how I LOVE our neighborhood? There were so many kids out trick or treating we actually ran out of candy around 7:30 and had to turn off the lights. Next year we will know to stock up!
Goblins in the Garden 2011
For Halloween the Arboretum does what they call Goblins in the Garden. Basically they have fun little things set up all over for the kids and there are trick or treat stations where the kids get either candy or little toys or something. This year we went with Bella's friend Caroline and her parents.
Here is a picture of Bella with one of the "princesses" that was available to take pictures with.
Bella really likes stickers...
This picture just warms my heart. Bella LOVES Caroline.
The two pretty princesses together
So cute
It was a really fun night. Might have to make it a tradition!
Here is a picture of Bella with one of the "princesses" that was available to take pictures with.
Bella really likes stickers...
This picture just warms my heart. Bella LOVES Caroline.
The two pretty princesses together
So cute
It was a really fun night. Might have to make it a tradition!
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