Conrad 2013

The best show on tv is: Regular Show

My favorite thing about school is: learning

The thing I do best is: making friends

If I could change my name, it would be: Sallen

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to: Disneyland

When I’m bored I like to: play with family and friends

My favorite color is: blue

My favorite toy is: Star Wars and super "hereo" toys

My favorite thing to wear is: my Regular Show shirt

When I grow up, I want to be: a chef

My favorite movie is: Star Wars and super "hereo" movies

My favorite song is: John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith aka Schmidt

My favorite book is: Bear in Underwear

My favorite game is: I like to play all the games, but especially Battleship and Candyland
My favorite things to do: having lunch with daddy at work, playing at the park, going to school, playing games and playing with toys

My favorite animal is: gorillas

Three words that describe me are: messy, full of "ingery" aka energy, happy

My favorite season of the year is: my birthday month because I have my birthday and summer because it's warm and I can get sweaty in 10 seconds

My favorite foods are: cake, raspberries, strawberries, spaghetti, crunchy tacos, hamburgers with no tomatoes, hot dogs, sugar toast, brown cereal (aka Cocoa Pebbles)

One food I really don’t like is: tomatoes (often confused with "comtatoes" often known as potatoes)

My best friend is: Zac

If I had one wish it would be: to live in a big building so we can get a lot of stuff
I am thankful for: this beautiful world

My best memory is: Morris getting borned

Phoebe 2013

The best show on tv is: Sofia the First

The thing I do best is: eat suckers

If I could change my name, it would be: Princess Aurora

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to: grandma's house

When I’m bored I like to: play with Conrad, Morris, Jack, Lucy, Avery and Gage

My favorite color is: pink because it's Princess Aurora's color

My favorite toy is: Big Sleeping "Booty"

My favorite thing to wear is: long dresses

When I grow up, I want to be: a beautiful girl

My favorite movie is: The Little Mermaid

My favorite song is: Disney Princess songs, especially Tangled

My favorite book is: potty books like, "Where is the Poop?"

My favorite game is: the shark game
My favorite things to do: come at Avery's house, "nuggling", read books, play outside, watch cartoons 

My favorite animal is: kitties and puppies

Three words that describe me are: beautiful, crazy, cute

My favorite season of the year is: summer

My favorite foods are: chocolate toast, chips, strawberries, apples, cuties, soft tacos with no lettuce, "ogrit" aka yogurt, ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese, fruit snacks

One food I really don't like is: lettuce (or anything green in food)

My best friend is: Avery, Gage, Conrad, Morris, Jack & Lucy

If I had one wish it would be: give Princess Aurora a hug and a kiss
I am thankful for: Jesus

My best memory is: playing with my family

Cinderella dress made by Grandma "Far"

Bigelow babies

I thought it would be interesting to see what all of our kids looked like at around the same age. You can definitely tell they are all siblings and Bigelow's. I'm determined that there will be one that looks like someone on my side, but it's not looking good. I'm ok with it because I wouldn't trade these kids for anything. -Katie 

                   Conrad, Phoebe & Morris at 1 month

Morris at 1 month

I can't believe Morris is already 1 month old. I wish time would slow down because it's flying by too fast. We love this little guy. Here are some things about him right now:

• he's been so good that it's almost too good to be true
• the kids think it's their duty to keep him from taking his naps, they are always touching him and smothering him with love
• only 3 blowouts in 1 month (a record for our kids)
• he is learning how to make some new noises at us
• pretty good sleeper at night, only wakes up once after midnight
• he's starting to smile at us
• he is still very good at eating and at making piggy noises
• he can usually sleep through all the crazy noises his older siblings make
• he loves to snuggle on us and doesn't always like to sleep by himself
• it's fun to see him in clothes that Conrad used to wear and remember how tiny he used to be
• he's always wiggly when he's awake but still happy and content, sometimes he wiggles himself awake
• he doesn't seem to be a fan of the taste of formula
• he just gets cuter everyday

train ride

Winter can be pretty boring, so I decided to get the family out of the house on Saturday. Everything around town sounded lame and I thought we should try the Frontrunner and go to Salt Lake. All week we were excited about going. Well, Saturday morning rolled around and lo and behold, it was snowing! and not just a little bit. But we did not let it get to us, we just bundled up and went to the Provo station. For anyone that has tried to look up UTA schedules online, you can agree that it is confusing and useless. After getting there we found out that it was another hour till the next train, and after the train finally got there it was another 20 minutes until we left. The kids were restless but when we finally got gong they were pretty excited. The train was fast and quiet and it was a fun ride.

Once we arrived in SLC, we got on the Trax that went right to the Gateway Mall, very convenient. We went to the Planetarium and the kids had a good time looking at all of the cool things there, it was all Katie and I could do just to keep them in our sight. When we left the Planetarium the snow and wind were really bad, and the Gateway is an outdoor mall so it was really cold and miserable. Just our luck. We ended up just going home, but on the ride back we sat upstairs and there was old guy there with his grandson. He was so nice and such a good example, it was awesome to meet him. I felt bad that the day was ruined by weather so I took them out to Milagros. Conrad was so funny there. There was a little girl there, the owner's daughter, and she was the hostess. Conrad flirted with her non-stop until it was our turn to be seated. She was a couple of years older than him but she was quite impressed by his counting skills. It was funny to see Conrad get a little girl crazy. All in all it was a good day.

-Rans

arr matey

My days lately consist of two little pirates (well one pirate trying to convince the other one that she wants to be a pirate and not Ariel) running around the house. They empty out a bucket and Conrad pushes Phoebe around in their "boat", they have a pet parrot and a stockpile of weapons. I hear a lot about Captain Jack Sparrow and bad pirates. I love watching these two play together. Today, Conrad grabbed Belle and told me he was going to pretend she was Jack Sparrow. I couldn't have imagined a better Jack Sparrow myself! -Katie

our little mermaid

Phoebe has been loving The Little Mermaid lately. She runs around saying, "I big Arel" and singing just like her. She rarely pretends to be Hulk anymore which still surprises me. A couple of weeks ago we took the kids to play at the tree slide and while we are there they always love to go to the Disney store. Conrad spotted Ursula and came up to me and asked if we could buy it for Phoebe. She was way on clearance so Ransom and I gave in because we love to hear her say, "Usula". When we got in the car Conrad asked if I would unwrap it so he could play with it. I told him that we should let Phoebe play with it first since he picked it out for her. He just looked at me and said, "Oh man, I should have said it was for me." Turns out Phoebe was terrified of her so Conrad got to play with her for a few days until Phoebe decided she wasn't so scary. -Katie

one year ago

One year ago today I got a phone call that I will never forget. I was at my parents house working on a project while Ransom took the kids swimming. I got a call from Ransom saying that Conrad almost drowned. I couldn't believe my ears. My mom rushed me to the hospital while I was in a daze. Nothing could have prepared me to see my little boy in the er with all the tubes, doctors and screams coming from him. My heart broke. I just wanted them to tell me everything would be ok but they had no reassuring words for me. My dad gave Conrad a blessing and I felt so at peace and knew Heavenly Father would take care of all of us and get us through this. It was a long few days but he recovered with no problems and was still my happy little boy. We were so incredibly lucky to have my family close by. They took turns having Phoebe sleepover so that I could stay at the hospital with Conrad. They came and cheered us up with visits, hugs and food. I never could have made it through those days without my Heavenly Father, Ransom, my family and Conrad's good attitude. I remember when we came home and every time I heard Conrad laugh I would imagine if it had turned out differently, how empty and quiet our house would feel without that laugh. I am so grateful that it wasn't his time to go because that boy is so special to me and he makes me a better person because he is just so good.

It's a year later now and I'm still just so grateful he is still here with us. We learned a lot through this experience. It's amazing what can happen when you take your eye off them for one second. Whenever there is a drowning on the news, my heart aches for the family because I know that was so close to being our family. We are so incredibly lucky and so happy that he is still our little fish. I don't think he remembers anything before waking up at the hospital. We decided that we wanted to do something every year on this day to give back and show our gratitude for all the help people gave us. This year we decided to meet the lifeguard that saved Conrad's life. Conrad drew her a picture and we met at the pool where it all happened. When she walked in Ransom pointed to her and said, "Conrad that's her." Without hesitation he ran up to her, gave her a big hug and proudly gave her the picture. It was so good to finally meet the girl that saved his life. I will always be grateful to her and she will always have a special place in my heart. I wish there was something I could do to repay her for what she did for our family. We are so incredibly blessed. -Katie

it runs in their blood

When I asked Conrad what he wanted for dinner tonight I was expecting him to ask for a peanut butter and jelly or a cheese sandwich. Instead he told me he wanted a nacho and a burrito from Taco Bell. I told him that I could make him a burrito at home, but he really wanted Taco Bell. We've started paying him a nickel per chore he does so I told him I would take him if he payed for it himself, but that it would take longer for him to buy the super hero he wanted. He ran to his room and grabbed his money. There was no talking him out of it. 

Ransom was gone on a mountain bike ride so I decided we might as well make a fun night out of it. We all got Taco Bell (Conrad payed for his) and we rented a movie at the Red Box. I thought it would be fun to watch Puss in Boots with the kids, but I guess there is also a knock off out there by a different company which is what I rented. It was so so so so so bad. Conrad loved it, but I had to put ear phones on and listen to something else because I could not take it for one more second. I love spending time with these kids and I'm so glad that they love Taco Bell just as much as me! -Katie

Phoebe's favorite snacks

A few months ago Phoebe saw the container with potato pearls and kept pointing at it saying, "nanny". I tried to get her to eat other things that I thought would taste better but she was determined to eat them. I finally gave in and she still asks for them all the time. One day I got so sick of potato pearls all over my floor that I decided to make them mashed potatoes, but she, of course, would not eat them.

For being so tiny she definitely has an appetite when she wants. She loves to eat potato pearls, cheese, yogurt, anything with sugar or chocolate and can sense it a mile away, cereal, beans, cheese, milk (anything liquid is called "wa wa"), orange juice, water, chips, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, cheese, granola bars, cheese, rice and sometimes grilled cheese sandwiches. She will eat veggies but she usually will not touch fruit. One day she will love something and the next day she is spitting it out like you fed her the most disgusting food. She likes to hold whatever she is eating and bite off of it. If we cut it up for her she usually will not eat it. Other times she eats better when we she sits on our lap and we feed her bites of our food. That usually ends up with her trying to feed us too. I can't figure her out but we sure love her anyways! -Katie

dresses for Phoebe

Last week Phoebe got some beautiful summer dresses in the mail from my Aunt Becky. When I opened the box Phoebe immediately wanted to put a dress on. You could tell she thought she was pretty cool. Then she was ready to try another one on and then the other one. Every time I have tried to take her picture in them she immediately gets grouchy. Sometimes I think she has something against being cooperative so this is the best I could do. Thank you so much Becky. We love them! -Katie

where are they?

This new game of theirs can keep them entertained and happy for longer than most anything. They love it the most when I ask, "Where are they?" and they come running at me and I have to scream in shock. These two do not lack in personality! -Katie

picnic

I was watching Conrad play with a couple friends outside, trying to take advantage of the warm weather. Avery asked if she could grab a blanket for a picnic and before I knew it they were raiding the fridge looking for food. They grabbed lots of fruit and rolls for meat sandwiches (that's what Conrad calls them). It's so fun to see kids come up with ideas together and watch how it all plays out. -Katie

bubbles in the bath

Phoebe has always loved taking baths. This week she pooped in the bath a couple of times and now hates to take a bath and when she is in the bath she "sees" poop everywhere. We've been trying to distract her but nothing has worked. Yesterday I finally thought to pull out the bubbles and that kept her entertained enough that she forgot all about the poop. It's still working like a charm so hopefully her fear of poop in the bath is all gone. I guess we freaked out too much when we saw the poop. Next time we will have to try and be calmer, but that is going to be hard for me! -Katie

best little buddies

Conrad and Phoebe definitely do their fair share of fighting and screaming at each other, but usually they are so sweet together. They love each other so much and are always giving each other hugs & kisses. I could watch them play together all day. -Katie

Conrad reading to Phoebe

taking goofy pictures or listening to music together

taking baths together

dancing together

ghostbusters

Last night we got the kids in bed and had plans to make chocolate malts and watch Ghostbusters. Before we had a chance to start the movie Conrad came out of his room and announced, "The monsters are jumping on my ears and keeping me awake." Ransom and I could not stop laughing. What else was there to do but have him watch the movie with us.

He woke up today wanting to watch the ghost movie. I think we will be watching a lot of Ghostbusters for the next little while. Tonight he came out of his room again saying that the monsters are jumping on his ears again. The excuse didn't work a second time, instead I gave him a toy gun to help keep the monsters away. I love this kid! -Katie

popping bubbles

Conrad and Phoebe are CRAZY about bubbles. We ran out of bubbles for awhile this winter and I don't know what took so long for me to buy more. It is the perfect activity when we are stuck inside all day. I always get lightheaded from blowing before they are even close to getting sick of playing. -Katie

the eve of christmas eve

We started a tradition this year that on the eve before Christmas eve we would all sleep around the Christmas tree. For now that means we sleep around a 12in. tinsel tree but one day it will be a real pine tree. We rented Kung Fu Panda 2 for the kids. Conrad was really tired so we thought he'd fall asleep pretty quick, but just a few minutes into the movie he was up and moving around showing us his kung fu skills. It took a while to get him calm down after the movie, but it was so fun and worth the late night. I think I will always look forward to this night as the kids continue to grow. -Katie

Phoebe with her fork. She is rarely without one of her forks or spoons.

Hook

The other day I was taking Conrad to preschool when suddenly Conrad started getting mad at me and telling me our car could do it. We had watched Cars 2 the night before. It is funny to see what he is starting to pick up on in movies, but scares me at the same time.

I love playing along with his crazy ideas so I had him name the car. It took him a while, but after lots of debating he decided on Hook. While he was at preschool, Phoebe and I went to the store and bought window markers so he could draw eyes on our car. Now everywhere I drive I have to drive with my knees as much as possible or tell Conrad that Hook is tired or lost and needs help. Some days I wish Hook really could drive us around! -Katie

conference

This conference I was determined to get Conrad to watch some of conference with us. I printed out activity sheets online and we tried explaining to him what conference was all about and showed him pictures of the prophet and apostles. He colored the activity sheets for a few minutes, but coloring just doesn't keep his attention for long. He wanted to go off and play so we tried to explain again that they were teaching us about Jesus. Conrad looked at us confused and said, "but I can't see Him."

Even though we didn't hear much of conference because of the two kids we enjoyed yummy cake batter pancakes with extra sprinkles, Ransom managed to beat me in conference bingo yet again and snuck in a few accidental naps.

For the last session we listened to conference as we drove through Provo canyon looking at the fall leaves. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Ransom and Conrad went on a little hike and found a bunch of polka dotted leaves that were really cool while I stayed with Phoebe so she could keep napping in the car. It was a nice relaxing couple of days. -Katie