Sweet times ...

Michelle, Samantha & I were able to catch the last weekend of Chocolate Exhibitation at the Henry Ford Museum. Very fun & interesting learning about the history of chocolate, how it's made, etc. etc. We then walked around Greenfield Village for a while before heading home for the day. Samantha got in some arts & crafts time with Mommy :-)

Graduation time!

For the past 8 weeks we've been taking Ginger to our local Petsmart store for some basic obedience training. It took a while for her to learn, but we think it was a worthwhile investment. They had a cute ceremony for other dogs in attendance, Ginger did very well obeying commands!

Random park shots

Samantha has been quite the outdoors-lady, attending a childhood class reunion for when she was in utero. We also made it a family affair by having a picnic at the Kensington State Park in Milford. She had fun at both outings as you can tell!

Ginger's Graduation Night!

For the last 2 months Ginger has been going to school in the evenings. She was learning all sorts of great things and Samantha was getting into it as well. A whole family affair. Last night, Ginger GRADUATED from her beginning class. We have a ways to go but we're really proud of our little girl!

We highly recommend http://www.petsmart.com/ classes.

Our new evening routine

She's a brusher like her Daddy. Samantha brushing her "almost teeth."

The Spag 2008

We attended a golf tournament banquet together after I played my first round of golf - a full 18 holes! Yeah, I PLAYED GOLF. I had a great time. I maintain that golf is definitely a GAME and not a SPORT. A game, however, that does require a tremendous amount of skill. I'll definitely be trying to play golf again in the near future! As usual on her best behavior for the dinnner.

Mozart at the Meadows

Spent a terrific evening with our cousins Larry and Naomi...

Ann Arbor Street Art Fair

Yesterday we spent the day in Ann Arbor walking the University of Michigan campus streets, as part of the annual Street Art Fair. Vendors from all over the country lined up their booths, we walked around for hours browsing some beautiful and interesting art pieces. There were also entertainers of sorts (fraternity guys selling water, and this one great mime artist). Of course it rained most of the afternoon, but we still had a great time!

July 4th Weekend

We all had a great time celebrating Independence Day weekend (aside from being off from work on Friday). That evening we attended the Greenfield Village "Salute to America," which included live music by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and an amazing fireworks display. Got home pretty late, but had a relaxing time on the lawn in chairs and having our own little picnic. The next day we hopped in the pool, as little Sam went swimming for the first time. Mostly in the shallow end!! :-)

Samantha ... she's almost 7 months

Samantha loves discovering her environment and entertaining herself while we're trying to get some work done on the computer. I had to shoot this quick video of her usual activity.

NY Visit

Samantha had her 3rd flight in 6 months, as we visited family and friends in NY. We saw a lot of people in a short amount of time. Highlights were taking the Long Island Railroad into NYC, using the subway, and spending time in Central Park ... Samantha was a trooper as mommy used the bjorn with great results. All in all a great time!

Commencement at Botsford

Once again it was time to congratulate the graduating interns, residents, and senior fellows at our hospital. The year has gone by so fast (as usual), Michelle & I will now be chief fellows in our respective programs for the upcoming academic year. Samantha took it all in as we enjoyed tons of delicious food and live music ...

Tying the knot!

A short but wonderful trip in Maryland as we celebrated the wedding of David (Michelle's brother) & Gretchen. We stayed at the historic Kent Manor Inn in Stevensville, about an hour east of Baltimore. It was very hot & humid, probably 100 degrees w/heat index but we had a great time. Samantha was one of the highlights of the party, very well behaved and drawing rave reviews from all guests in attendance! Wishing the new couple a lifetime of health & happiness ...

Fun at the Detroit Zoo

We had a fabulous time on Sunday visiting the Detroit Zoo. We recently became annual members there and decided to check it out. This is Samantha's first zoo experience and it went very well. It seems as though a lot of other parents have already discovered this terrific place. I have never seen so many young children in one spot -- other than the pediatrician's office. :) There was even an 11 day old little baby boy. Samantha was equally interested in the other chlidren and the animals. Well, who am I kidding... she was WAY more interested in the other children. It was a beautiful day for a picnic and Samantha enjoyed relaxing on the grass. Oh... it's so nice to have beautiful weather!