NEWS FLASH

My little Dahlia has taken her first steps (and yes, she's only 9 months)!! My mom and I saw her take three today and Jason saw her take four before that. . . Charla and family are on their way to China for 5 months. . .and Dahlia has her seventh tooth.

xo

My Grandma turned 90 at the end of July! I've been putting together a photo album for her and the photos that all of the family has sent me are just wonderful and I feel so honored that she is my Grandma. I wanted to post a few of my favorites. She grew up in San Francisco and then moved to New York with my Grandpa to raise her family. The photo below is of my Grandma and Grandpa with my Dad on the "stoop" in front of their home.

Below is a photo of my Grandma in Cairo. She was a fulbright Scholar in Beirut and this was a side trip she took. I just love this photo. She looks so glamorous.

The last photo is of my Grandma in Vista, California where she lives now. Her home is so lovely and surrounded by orange trees, flowers and other wonderful fruits. I'm so glad I was raised in southern California. I loved taking Soren to her house to frolic through all of the trees and colorful scenery before we moved to Scotland. I remember him wanting her to lead him around and we could tell he knew she was the lady of the house. It was so sweet.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

here are all of the Ausman side of the family cousins together (we were only missing Codey and Isabella). Yes, my daughter is screaming. She was a bit overwhelmed by all the newcomers but it was a wonderful time. And yes, Dries is wearing skinny jeans. . . he's awesome.

I love Italian culture and here are a few reasons why. I was just reading my sister's post about their trip to Sardinia. I've never been to Sardinia but Italy is pretty much gorgeous wherever you go and the people are so friendly. . .anyway, she posted about trying to find a good camping site for their trip. I called for her and it wasn't the number we had expected but I asked the guy on the phone if he new any good camping places and so he said, "hold on" and asked his friend. They gave us a number to call and in the end it was just what Bridget was looking for and they ended up staying there. They're just cool like that :O). This experience took me back about 10 years to when I lived in a town called Foggia. I was with a friend in bad traffic--bumper to bumper--and someone ahead of us decides he wants to get out of it and go the opposite way. So, there is some signaling and talking and honking (friendly) and cars start to back up in this bumper to bumper traffic!! There's no way would that happen in many other places. I loved it and was completely surprised. It was like a living Mentos commercial.

My friend Laura from Italy is back in Pescara with her family for the Summer and I miss her. We don't get to see each other as much now that we both have two kids but I just love her. Our friendship isn't based on how alike we are but on appreciating each others opinions and enjoying each others company.

I have all of these posts going through my mind that I'd like to write about but I feel like there is never enough time. . .I will get caught up though. My wonderful Grandma turned 90 and my sisters came to town! We were all together for a week of fun and craziness with 9 cousins all together for the first time since Dahlia and Dries were born.

Stay tuned. . .