Kindergarten here comes P...

Last week Preston has his 5 year wellness exam. (Still can't believe it!) He is in excellent health. He is a BIG boy, but always has been. He is an even 50 pounds (90%) and is 47 1/2 inches tall (95%). His BMI is only 16, which is thin but he is healthy. He has 20/20 vision in both eyes, and excellent hearing. (Yeah, I was surprised about the hearing too.)  He got his updated shots and is ready for Kindergarten next year. On Thursday, I turned in his Kindergarten registration packet. (Sniff-sniff, tear-tear!!) He is on his way!

 This is us at the doctors office. He was all smiles!!

 He is such a ham!! He was really excited, then he got those darn shots!! 

But this big boy didn't even cry. What a trooper!!

And, for those interested in what Zac is up to... 

Yes, he takes his cup everywhere. It's a work in progress.

I hope to have him 100% potty trained before summer. 

But you know toddlers, some days they are interested...

and some days, not so much. 

Happy Birthday Preston!

Preston is 5! I can hardly believe it!! It seems like not so long ago I was pregnant with him, or chasing him around the living room when he was crawling, or teaching him to walk, talk, ride a bike. Where has the time gone?! He is growing up so big!! It seems even harder to fathom that in 6 short months he will be going to Kindergarden.

We celebrated his birthday on Sunday at Mr. Biggs. He had a great time!! It was great to be surrounded by so many family and friends. All the kids had a blast.

 Birthday Cake!

 Birthday Boy!

 Zac taking a break from the bounce house.

Chillin' with Daddy.

 Papa & Uma

 Cousin Jennifer, Aunt Melissa, Cousin Billi, Aunt Mindy

 Cousin Travis all the way from New York!! Him, his wife Jennifer and all 6 kids!

So great to have them here to celebrate!!

 Great Grandpa & Great Grandma

 Gorgeous little Mina

 Friends Elix & Vignon

 Cayson, oh Cayson! You had you daddy running!

 Ready for cake...

 ... and presents!

 Lots of cool gifts!

 Yeah!!

Totally worn out by the end!

It was so much fun! I'm so thankful so many friends and family members were able to celebrate with us. I wish I had rounded up all the kids for one big group picture, but they were too busy having fun.



Blackhawk!

This weekend, Reg and I were able to escape for a little pre-Valentine's weekend up to Blackhawk. Reg's work was holding a function there where he won an award for his accomplishments in 2011! This is the fifth year in a row he was honored with an award (one for every year of employment!) Usually, we have a formal dinner and awards ceremony in April or May at either the Broadmoor or Cheyenne Mountain Resort. It was super fun going to Blackhawk! I hope they hold it there next year as well.

It was humbling to see the amount of people there with Phil Long Dealerships who had earned outstanding achievements in the past year. I love that his company goes out of their way to recognize and reward great employees! I am very thankful for my husband's job. It provides us with a home to live in, food to eat, clothing to wear, cars to drive and so very much more.

On the way up to the mountains, we met my Mom and my three nieces at Casa Bonita for lunch and entertainment. I took the boys there a few months ago after we saw Disney on Ice. They had a great time!! Preston even got a special fried ice cream dessert for his birthday (Zac ate it of course!) and we were able to sing to him. They watched the shows on the waterfall, and a puppet show, and played in the arcade. Here are some pictures from their adventure.

 Zac eating Preston's ice cream 

 Playing games

 Light Saver!

 Happy (early) Birthday Big Boy!

Light Saver take 2 

After we left Casa Bonita, Reg and I headed up the pass towards Central City and Blackhawk. We stayed in a gorgeous hotel! We had a super yummy dinner and after Reg and the other employees were honored, we headed to the casino. I'm not much of a gamer but we had fun! I was really humbled to be stopped in the casino and carded. That hasn't happened in.... years!!! Reg just laughed at me but he could tell I was excited :) Here are some photos of our adventure. 

 The award!

 Carded! And showing of my wrist band. How exciting!!

Us in the casino. I look so short & I was even wearing heels!

Together in line for breakfast Sunday. 

After that we headed to Boulder to get the monsters! 

We had a super fun weekend, I am so thankful my parents were able to take the boys overnight for us. This week is Valentine's Day, Preston's Birthday and this next weekend we will be having a house full of family who are coming to celebrate Preston's 5th Birthday with us. Whew! Busy times ahead. I love it!!

Reggie and the State Capitol

On Thursday, Reggie was invited to speak at a committee meeting at the State Capitol in Denver about his experience at his high school, Colorado Springs Early Colleges. It was such an honor for him to be chosen, along with three other students, to represent his school.

He spoke about his experience at his school and how it has impacted his life and will benefit his future. Reggie goes to a school that is located within a local University. He takes both college classes and high school classes together. Next year when he earns his High School Diploma, he will also earn his Associates Degree in Engineering. It is a great program that we are blessed he has been able to partake in. 

He was accompanied by one of his guidance counselors, three other CSEC students and his grandparents, who took the following pictures to document his experience. 

 From left to right:

 Student Kyle Flanegin, Student Megan Heiger, Senator Keith King, Reggie, 

Student Darius Hines-Cross and School Counselor Mrs. Carrillo

 The Senator with the Students 

 Waiting his turn...

 Great picture of this handsome young man!

 The hearing...

 Reggie giving testimony

 Signing up to give testimony

These kids look nervous!! 

Reggie had a great experience! He hopes his words will help pave the way for more "Early Colleges" schools across the State of Colorado. Go Reggie!! We are so proud!!

This week...

On Sunday, we went to dinner instead of watching the Super Bowl. My husband is still a bit sore from the Ravens loss to the Patriots so we decided a family night was in order. The boys had a great time at the restaurant, and our waitress even sang to Preston after he "casually" mentioned his birthday next week.

 Preston got embarrassed when they sang to him but he loved it!

 Zac loved it too, but for an entire different reason :) 

Then it was off to "Daddy's Barber Shop" for some much needed haircuts. I think both boys look older when their hair is shorter. Reg does a fa nominal job cutting the boys hair (considering he's bald) and I think he likes the bonding time. 

And surely I am not the only mother of a two year old who has gone to the store and had their child rip into a box of cereal. Well, hopefully not at least! 

Up to Speed...

The past month we welcomed the New Year and celebrated Grandpa's 90th Birthday shortly after. Tragically, not even a week later we lost our loved Uncle Chip suddenly. That loss, in addition to sickness throughout our house, has been our start to 2012. We are looking up to bigger and brighter days. Recently, we have been spending more time with family & friends. My sister Melissa and my niece Billi moved back to Colorado this week, from Massachusetts. We are overjoyed to have them home! Preston is back to school and just got amazing reviews at his PTC this week (yeah!). Always a relief :) And little Zac is trying to keep up with brother, talking more and more everyday. He is just too stinkin' cute sometimes.

Both boys had their dental check-ups recently. My favorite 2 words... "No Cavities!" And we were blessed to hear them twice, one for each boy. Preston had a bluegrass installed in his mouth to help him stop sucking his fingers. So far it seems to be working, although he attempts to put his fingers in his mouth a lot still. Hopefully this will taper off soon.

Here is Zac getting his teeth cleaned. 

The hygienist was amazed at how well he tolerated it!

Preston, the old Pro at the dentist. He is so good :) 

 This picture cracks me up! Zac chilling watching Wonder Pets.

He didn't even get his coat or shoes off!

I love this picture of Reg and I. It was taken a few weeks ago. 

We look good together, aye? 

That's all from the Shoats Family for now.  We will be updating again shortly.