Sammy has also started his own sporting activity and is now enrolled in a gymnastics class 1x a week. This is from his first week, he loved it. We are all laughing at the end cuz Nathaniel was laughing at Sam's booty!

Nathaniel had his first Karate tourney today. We had a lot of fun although we had to get up at the crack of dawn! Anyhow, here is his sparring video, he really handed it out to this kid. That's my boy! In case you can't tell which one he is with all the gear on, he's the one with the black gloves on (and the one who landed the most kicks and punches, duh).

Samuel Wyatt Covington - Born Three Years Ago Today!

I guess we could call him Sammy 3.0 now:-)

Here are some pics and videos from the evening festivities at the Covington house...

The official camofluage belt ceremony for Nathaniel (he was so proud - as are we).

Here is a cool pose:

We went to a book signing the other night for my boss' wife. She has just authored a new book (check it out at www.vickikuyper.com). Anyhow, the event was held at a Chandler Christian bookstore where the boys found these cool Bob the Tomato and LarryBoy outfits. Sorry, we know they're spoiled but we couldn't resist, how cute are these?



Nathaniel wouldn't smile because he said "Larryboy is a super-hero and when they are after bad guys they don't smile." I guess he didn't look at the expression on the shirt:-)

It's off to Camo(uflage) we go!

It seems like yesterday when he got his Yellow Belt, but its been two months and he is progressing nicely. One of the volunteer teachers at his school told us the other night that Nathaniel is her favorite. I think it is because he always displays a great love of life and a passion for learning. Good job little guy!

Apparently, I have a screw loose!

This is me after I inadvertently (I cannot imagine who would do this on purpose) stabbed myself in the forehead with a flathead screwdriver.



Yes, for all of those who know me well, I tend to be accident prone when doing manual labor. Whether its plumbing with a boning knife (7 stitches in my left hand) or tearing out old cabinets in a bathroom in our last house (impaled with a nail - one tetnus shot), or remodeling work on our last house (panic attack and $1500 ER bill). This one was actually done at work trying to dismantle some cubicle walls, $75 (reimbursed by the company I work for) and a trip to Urgent Care (3 stitches). Got a pretty cool little scar and the boys thought it was awesome. I know, I am a dork!

The famed HABOOB (official word for dust storm)!!

A few parting shots, dropping Magah off at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort in Oro Valley...

A picture says a thousand words...

Magah's Arrival!

A Visit from Magah!

Here are some fun pictures of the boys with Christina's mom. We were so blessed that she was able to come and spend a couple of days with us while she was in the desert for a work-related function. We had a lot of fun and it was great to see her. The boys sure do miss their Magah!

Here is a whole montage of great photos...



Master Chefs!

Time for a big update. Lot's of pictures and video to pass along. This first video is from the end of July.
The boys went to a friend's (Oscar) birthday party at The Little Gym in Ahwatukee (Southeast Phoenix). Lot's of fun!! Here is a picture of Nathaniel acting like the monkey he is...

Big news at the Covington ranch this week! Nathaniel cut his first 6-year molar (a full 8 months ahead of schedule) AND his first loose tooth showed up! It's all coming together at once for the poor guy.

Also, he was doing the sweetest thing tonight, he was walking around singing his own song to the Lord. He was saying that he was going to try and listen to God and not to Satan and that he loved His Father so much down in his heart that he wanted to hug him. Priceless!

We all went to the Hamilton Aquatic Center in south Chandler today. We had a blast, although they wouldn't let Nathaniel and me go down the big slide together, so we will have to wait until he can swim on his own. We had a blast still! Afterwords we went to eat at Ruby's Diner in the Chandler Fashion Center. It was a fun day. (Those aren't our kids by the way - they are pics from the website for the pool we went to).

Swim lessons in Phoenix are not an option! The boys are really enjoying this, and Sam especially likes being in a class with his big brother!

More splashing around!

She didn't want me to take a picture of her, but I insisted. Doesn't she look great! Over 20 lbs. lost and counting. We are fast becoming the all new (and leaner) Covingtons, thanks to WeightWatchers.

After a week in Atlanta at an industry trade show, I returned home to two boys, each with their own virus and my mom with some serious foot pain which rendered her out of commission while I was away. Nonetheless, after a visit to urgent care for my mom to rule out a blood clot and a visit for the boys to their pediatrician, everyone is on the mend. I was able to spend a three-day weekend at home and I think we are ready to tackle another week and hopefully get back on a schedule.

Nathaniel and his protege'

Nathaniel's coronation as a yellow belt!

Another fine karate video...

Okay, it has been a long time since posting to this thing, but I figure now that we are seperated from so many of our family members by so many miles, this would be an easy way to keep everyone who cares in the loop.

So, without further ado, here is Nathaniel at his recent testing for yellow belt at Maricopa Black Belt Academy.