Jubilee of Trees 2010

Porter and I went to the Jubilee of Trees Monday November 22nd with Aubri and it's beginning to be a fun holiday tradition. Two years ago Aubri and I went and it was one of the first times we ever hung out or did something/go somewhere together. Last year Porter and I went for his NICU reunion. This year we didn't stay long (ended up going out to dinner with Aaron and the Hepplers) but it is always fun to see the different decorated trees and see Santa. Last year seeing Santa was pure torture for Porter. This year I asked him if he wanted to see Santa (pretty sure he doesn't know what I'm talking about) and he said "Yeah". He sat on Santa's lap and didn't care either way. Wasn't upset but also didn't smile. Still cute!
Porter dancing in his stroller to the music and onstage entertainment. We were also in front of a Sesame Street tree and he liked seeing Elmo all over.
Me, Port, and our Aubi!

These last three pictures are Jubilee flashbacks. This was last year (Porter was 15 months old) at the NICU reunion. What a cute kid!

Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Yesterday we enjoyed a perfectly wonderful and delightful holiday with Aaron's parents and sister. All of the other siblings/families were with their in laws for the holiday. It was very different having so few of us (only 2 of the 6 Bergquist kids present) but it ended up being so pleasant and relaxing. We missed everyone of course, it was just different without the chaos associated with the masses. We spent the morning getting ready, final prep in the afternoon, dinner at 3pm, light clean up, naps, dessert, and hanging around. Stuffed and happy ending! I have so much to be thankful for: family, wonderful husband, perfect son, warm house, food, necessities of life, knowledge of the gospel & Jesus Christ, membership in His church, the Temple, scriptures, prayer, great friends, health, our dogs, a job, service opportunities, eternal marriage, little pleasures in life (hot chocolate), sickness (makes me appreciate the health more), blessings, hobbies, etc. The table so beautifully decorated; it always is. That's one of the best parts about dinner as a family.
Pumpkin cakes
I brought a few of my Thanksgiving decoration from home to decorate the food with. They had to be seen somewhere since they only made it out of the box the day before. All of my fall decor (pumpkins, leaves) have been out since October but the rest got neglected.
Have had these little pilgrims for years and years. Made them forever ago at some church activity.
All the yummy food!
My little pilgrim. Made the hat at story time on Tuesday and I made an extra one for Eli. So cute!
Oh yum yum yum. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries, stuffing, sweet potato pudding, jello, rolls, sparkling cider and "monkey brains" (pink jello salad-a Taylor family favorite and tradition). For dessert (all homemade) banana cream pie, pecan pie, cherry pie, and mini pumpkin cakes.
Rachael and Eli. Baby Thad was sleeping at this point. Almost every one of us wore brown. We looked very festive and fun!
Nana & Papa (aka: Lenore & Gary, mom & dad).
Porter refused to take a nap and ended up napping on Daddy while he and Papa watched the football game. All the girls took naps while babies slept and I took mine curled up on the couch right next to my boys. Football, kids, war...I can sleep through it all.
The boys watching "Toy Story 3" together. They are such cute cousins. Porter says Eli's name but it sounds more like "eh-why". Such cute boys in their cute sweaters.
Chancho the furry pilgrim....very unsure of why he is continually tortured with dress up. It's because you're little and cute and I SAID SO. =P
Chia taking a more bashful approach to the pilgrim hat.
Porter got a haircut today! He was due. The older he gets the more behaved and patient he is; what a good boy!
Finished product: what a STUD! So handsome!
When Daddy is in charge (I went to the hospital for a follow-up X-ray from the lithotripsy six weeks ago) Porter often times gets to take his nap on the couch. He moved around because his head used to be on that pillow. He ended up parallel with the pillow versus perpendicular.
My decorated table at home. Happy Thanksgiving everyone and let us all give thanks! Have an "attitude of gratitude"!

Porter Goofing Around

Silly kid! Don't be grossed out but he decided to use his potty seat (promise I constantly sanitize it) as a face frame. Just noticed the ribs.
Again, silly boy: taking his socks off with his teeth!
Porter attempting to wash his hands by himself. Good boy!
My attempt to get festive and decorate outside. Used my dead corn from the garden and our Halloween pumpkins. It's better than nothing I guess.

Porter "Money's" & "Funnies"

Porter now has a jar to save money for his mission (when he's 19) that we'll be putting all our coins in; the jar counts how much you're putting in and tells you the total. Porter really likes to hold his "money's".
Aaron does not like tomato soup...what a disappointment. Had it for dinner one night last month and to my surprise Porter loved it! Proof he is smarter than his father. =P No disrespect, just saying he has better taste.
Porter LOVES his elbow pads or as he calls them "elmo pads"...which technically are knee pads. Cute kid.
Porter reading the paper. Ha ha!
Our two doggies and their two doggie cousins, Boston and Bailey. We love when they come stay at our house! Boston and Chia flirt the whole time. Chancho is the boss and leader of the group and Bailey is just slow and...um...bigger. Whenever we give the dogs treats we tell them to sit and Porter will do it! Funny kid! Always try to have my camera handy to capture moments like this.
Couple Sunday's ago Porter spent the entire morning before church watching scripture cartoons hanging out in the laundry hamper.
Once in awhile gotta throw me in here...so it's only 99% about Porter. =P
Bored a little?
Bored again? Mommy needs to work on this.
It's been a long time since he fell asleep in his highchair but couple weeks ago he had a long day and either no nap because of friends/family or tiny nap in the car (can't remember) but in the evening he ended up falling asleep. What a cutie! And poses in his sleep-good boy.

Porter Plays & Relaxes

Few pictures here from the past month or so of my little man. The ball and shapes is a classic toy and Porter loves playing with it. He is really into puzzles right now. Smart kid!
"Chillin' n' relaxin'!"
So sweet asleep...is Teddy in a choke hold? Oh well.
Porter loves to make a bed on the floor of the living room to lay down. It's really cute. Recent facts--Porter's favorite song: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Favorite treat: "candies" or "roar chips" (Cheetos). Porter's favorite book: "Choo choo book" (aka: The Little Engine that Could).

Halloween-Church Trunk or Treat

Wednesday October 27th we went to Nana and Papa's ward for Trunk-or-Treat. It was fun! I matched my Porter to look military (were not the only ones, but hey, it's an easy costume).


Porter was SO CUTE going from car to car (or trunk to trunk) asking for candy. I would tell him to say "trick-or-treat" which he attempted and then prompt him to say thank you, which got the cutest "tant-you" with the sign.
Before candy at the trunks they had games and donuts and juice. Porter was awfully cute eating that donut bigger than his face.
Little manikin man creeped me out; didn't phase Porter. Some of the family in attendance: three of Aaron's sisters and Nolan. Aaron missed out because he was working but Nana and Papa (Aaron's parents) had a great trunk and fun ward activity!
After the ward party Porter and I attended a Halloween carnival with Aimee, her little Princess and the mighty fire-y dragon! (Every proper princess needs a dragon.) So fun!
Lost Porter at one point during the carnival (he kept disappearing and running off) and found him in a room playing musical chairs. Cute kid!
Festive bib he didn't care for...as you can see.
Porter saying and signing "candy" (put finger to cheek and twist it). Way too adorable! He of course LOVES "candies".
Porter showing me where he puts his candy garbage. Good boy.
Cousins Porter and Eli riding the "vroom vroom" together. We were lucky enough to hang out with Luke, Rach and the boys several times while he was on his two week R&R (time home from over sea's deployment) and had so much fun. Love our Park family!