Porter and his Puppy Pal

Porter loves dogs (guess that stems from us having two dogs) and this is one of his favorites: Cleo. She is such an fun, cute, entertaining, easily-exhausted, awesome dog! Every time we pull up to Audrey and Steve's house Porter does the sign for "dog" and says "goggie" for doggie. He can't say her name but he recognizes her house and knows she lives there. So sweet!(Pictures above and below taken September 30, 2009)

Porter loves when Cleo gives him kisses: he just giggles and laughs and grins, but I can never capture those moments with my darn camera delay!
This picture of Cleo and I was taken 4th of July last year; she just starting backing up and sat on my lap. It was HILARIOUS!!! Guess she just loves me or thought my lap looked comfortable.
This picture was just the other day. Anyway, there's an intro of one of Porter's best friends. Thanks for having such a cool dog Audrey! She makes my Porter-son happy. =)

Potty Practice + 20 Months

Happy 20 months Porter!!! He is 23 lbs 5 oz and almost a full-fledged age-to-charge toddler! He is soooooo fun and sooooooo cute and sooooooo perfect. He is not only signing now but saying words with signs. His main ones are gog (Porter translation: dog) or do-gee (doggie), dink (drink), nack (snack), tant you (thank you), mik (milk), teddeeee (teddy), birdeee (bird), bubbl (bubbles), and ducie (duck/duckie). I also wanted to tell you about something very important: Potty practice!!! I don't think we're anywhere close to potty training but we are getting used to the idea by having daily "potty practice" meaning he just sits on the potty, clothes and all. The next step will be to do it diaper-less and then GO in the potty. (Most of the pictures on this post are from yesterday.)
My mini-military-man has loved this DI hat this past week. He puts it on and just plays and it is too cute for words.
Porter and one of his buddies Nate at the park yesterday. These two are SO CUTE running around together! Nate taught Porter the art of "Caterpillar Hunting". That's what they're doing in this picture; watching the one they found. They are only 4 months apart so will be together in classes for years to come! =)
This is the Thomas train toy I got for him and he loves it.
Chancho likes to hide under pillows and blankets and curl up into a warm furry ball. Love you Puppy Chanch!

Happy Birthday Chancho!

Our puppy Chancho is 3 (human) years old today! This is a small random collection of Chancho pictures from the last 3 years. He has been the best dog and Aaron's right hand ma...furry friend. He WORSHIPS Aaron and would jump off a bridge if Aaron did. Chancho is the most patient, obedient dog and we love him.

Think he wants our attention??? This was over a year ago. I have great pictures of him sitting in the baby swing, on top of pillows (like royalty), under everything, and best of all in Aaron's "under's". I think he is the most beautiful golden color.
Praying for the bath to be over. Was not a fan of bath time as a little puppy.
Looks like a Gremlin. Also looks so pitiful thinking "I implore you, please let the bath be over."
Taco Bell dog toys: Chancho has several (probably 10) I had bought from DI and he chewed up every single one. =) Chancho likes long strolls on the beach (or at least he would if he had the chance), LOVES lunch meat, loves to chew on toys like a pacifier, sleeping under blankets curled up snuggling with Aaron and I, and playing. Happy Birthday Chancho!

"Training" Porter

Porter is starting to like trains. I pointed to a train in one of his books he likes to look at last week and told him it says "choo-choo!" Then last Saturday we went to the Kite Festival and Porter rode the 'train' with Daddy who also told him "choo-choo". Starting that day Porter says "koo-koo" when asked what a train says!!!! Soooooo cute! He also has a few episodes of Thomas the Train (I personally find them boring) and I just found him a Thomas train toy at DI for a buck. For our exciting Friday night Porter and I cruised around the mall (I can count on one hand the number of times I have been to this mall but I had an awesome coupon that I used to get some jewelry practically for free). Got my deals, Porter got candy, did some window shopping, got my ring cleaned (it's been forever), and Porter had a grand time playing with the train table and in Barnes N' Noble (hence the picture). I love spending time with my little "koo-koo" train fan!

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day everyone!!!! Porter and I went to go recycle in honor of Earth Day. Don't mind the Mountain Dew bottle; it wasn't mine....Aaron likes the stuff, yuck! If I had broken crayons and Porter was older, we would melt green and blue crayons in paper cups to make little Earth's to color with. We did go to story time today and the topic was "pets". I was a little disappointed it wasn't an Earth Day theme/topic. To be "festive" I wore green today and Porter wore blue with a blue and green hat.

This is Porter eating Earth.
Porter often wants to do as he sees Mom and Dad do like sit at the computer and type on the computer, so I put out the old keyboard for him to play with. (This picture and the one below were taken Tuesday.)
Porter loves to read and he points out things he recognizes: soooooo cute!!!
This may sound silly but this was a present I sent to nephew Simon by phone mail: a milk jug!!!! At 14 months old it's his favorite toy in the whole world. Aaron is still super busy with work, extra job, and EQ. I am loving YW and had fun tonight at their Futsal (indoor soccer) game. They won 6 to3; I'm so proud of them! Tuesday's get busy but are so fun and I am soooooo looking forward to Girl's Camp and Youth Conference in June. =)

Down by the River

For our family night we went on a bike ride with Aaron pulling Porter in my latest most exciting garage sale find: bike trailer for $20! Sorry no pictures of that, but I did take a couple during our break by the river of Aaron and Porter who had been throwing pebbles into the river and climbing rocks. We invited Nana (Aaron's mom Lenore who is of course Porter's Nana) to come with us and it was so fun! Perfect weather to go biking too. If I had only seen a van...would have been a perfect time to quote Chris Farley.

I love my family!!!

Face of Innocence

I LOOOOVE my Porter! The crib picture is blurry but look at that sweet face! This morning he would jump jump jump (something he loves to do right now before I get him out), and today it was jump, rest chin on hands...jump, chin on hands... Too freakin' precious! The other picture was yesterday as Porter was enjoying the nice day and hanging out on patio furniture. This kid brightens my day, lights up my life, and makes me laugh and smile. Can I keep him?

Friends+Garden+Yard

Porter loves to "read" (aka look at books) and today he loved this jungle animal "Peek-a-boo" book that has a mirror on the last page. Porter thought it was hilarious! So cute. Tonight after his bath and brushing his teeth he climbed into the sink which is something he loves to do. Sorry about the sideways picture but here is the big news in our home: finished the yard!!!!! 4 1/2 years and grass is finally done. HUGE weight and project off Aaron's shoulders. He worked so hard and did a great job and got it done thanks to help from terrific neighbors and wonderful friends. Porter already loves it; the two of us spent some time out there today and he just loved it. It looks like beautiful, lush green carpet doesn't it?








This evening Porter and I went next door and asked if his little friend Dustin could play, so I took them on an hour+ walk (again sorry about the sideways picture), then we came back and played basketball. They were SO cute together! Even got "treasures" along our walk (pine cones) and Dustin shared snacks and drinks with Porter. Good news; my garden is FINALLY sprouting! Have to look at my garden map to see what it is but somethings coming up! And getting some red strawberries. Almost ready! So excited. This last picture is my puppy (3 yrs old this month! I don't count in dog years) Chancho hiding. Loves to sleep under blankets and pillows.

Bergquist Family Pictures 2010

The Bergquist family: Gary and Lenore, their 6 kids (Jared, Aaron, Miriam, Charity, Rachael, Becky), 5 spouses (Melissa, me, Spencer, Matt, Luke), and 9.5 grandchildren (and counting...). April 5, 2010 =)

First "Owie"

Porter got is first real "owie" today. Was getting in his closet, fell, and scrapped his cheek on either a toy or a diaper box. My poor son! Looks so pitiful. He only cried for about 30 seconds (and not even the hard cry) and was fine. Just hope it doesn't scar. The other picture is my Porter putting on one of my headbands. It's like these little people watch EVERYTHING we do and imitate it all! No pressure eh? Tonight Porter and I had so much fun going to one of my good friend's house for dinner (which was AMAZING and so tasty) and the kids just played and played and played while we girls just talked and talked and talked. Good times!!!

Caged & Pretty in Pink

The kennel is currently set up and Porter decided that was a fun place to play today. He tried to shut the door too; silly kid! I promise this is not punishment; it's for the dogs but Porter finds it a tiny adventure.
Easter weekend we took family pictures and here is our family. We're pretty in pink because that was the color theme (well, pink and white). Can't wait to get a group shot on here.
A strawberry cometh! How exciting! =D

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter (yesterday) everybody! The entire Bergquist family (the parents, all 6 kids, 5 spouses and 9.5 grandchildren) were together this weekend. That's pretty awesome. My whole family was together this week in Nashville minus me. =( *sniff* I made this bunny cake (white cake, cream cheese frosting, topped with coconut) and jello eggs. This morning we took family pictures in pink and white.
This is my precious boy on the way home after pictures. Boy do pictures wear you out! It's exhausting lookin' this good! =P
This is yesterday cousin fun: Porter and cousin Eli started to fight over the doll stroller so I had Porter sit in it while Eli pushed. That made everyone happy. =) Sweet boys.