new pics of mostly "bella bella " :)

she loves her little panda bear

we've had a few gorgeous days , sunny in the 70s so Stella , duff and I enjoyed nice long strolls:) (Adrien was at school on that day )

a poor attempt to take a group picture of all 5 of us before our walk ... not that easy but i will keep trying:)

Stella just started to use the bumpo seat this week  and likes the new perspective she gets :)

A special day

January 1978 - papy et mamie  a ma naissance (my grandparents with me at the hospital )

july 2004 - 2 months after our wedding

July 2008 - my trip to introduce Adrien (7 months old) to mamie cherie

My sweet grandma - well I always called her "ma petite mamie cherie" was always so caring and affectionate with us.  I used to spend each wednesday at her house playing pretend in her gardening store, swinging and singing outside, watching our favorite cartoons, eating delicious pastries, learning how to knit with her... so many wonderful and sweet memories!  I loved watching her cook I can still smell the onions  and chicken grilling in her kitchen when she would make us lunch.  She made the best "far breton" and would always have a little something for us in our "magical drawer" (gum, lollipops...etc).  We always felt loved and cared for and that is really the best gift to a child.  

Ma "petite mamie cherie" has passed on on my birthday this year but I will ALWAYS cherish her gentle ways, her love for her family,  her delicious recipes, and her sweet loving smile when she looked at us.  I am a better person for knowing her.  I am sad I will not get to introduce Stella to her,  but mostly I am proud and happy to share all my wonderful memories with both Adrien and Stella and keep her gentle and precious legacy alive within us.  Je t' aime tres fort Mamie Cherie !! 

----------

After my mom called on Saturday morning and told me the news, I had a good cry in Christophe's arms. Then Stella woke up and caring for her & Adrien allowed me to pull myself together and focus on my most precious gift= my family.  Adrien was invited to his good friend Liberty' s 4 year old party so we all got ready.  

 Christophe was so sweet and supportive!  He took care of Adrien and his friends , to let me chat with my friends.

 Czarina and Lisa with Stella

I had a nice time talking with my sweet friends.  I could not share the news of my grandmother' passing because the wound was too fresh and I did not want to burst into tears at a little girl's birthday party but just talking to them made me feel better.  Thank you guys ! 

 then we took a nice family walk

 had a delicious chocolate bundt cake - Adrien helped me blow the candles and Stella was busy getting her own snack :)

 It was a day full of love and tenderness - a perfect way to remember and honor my mamie!

 On Sunday the boys decided to have a family day, so we spent the afternoon at the zoo.  the weather was perfect , our first time back to the zoo as a family of four !

 Stella checking out the gorilla... she looks intimidated :)

 Adrien had a blast mountain climbing and went pretty high