my springy Easter weekend

To start out with JOYEUSE PAQUES!! I celebrated Easter a little different this year (you know since I'm in France). But, of course will be having what the Cronquist family calls "fake Easter" when all the college kids get back from school and their various adventures, and I have also reminded my mom that I would still very much like to dye Easter eggs upon my return (don't forget mama bear!). 

Anyways...to kick off the Easter weekend, on Friday a bunch of the girls headed to Giverny. The home of my absolute favorite painter Monet (we even share the same birthday and I couldn't be more honored). He had the most beautiful home surrounded by one of the most fantastic flower gardens ever. Since it is spring time now, it was in full bloom and really got the warm cheeriness in me going!

Love this garden. Love this house. Love Monet.

And now, we proceed to Saturday where I took a little trip to Pere Lachaise, the famous French cemetery. This actually has nothing to do with my Easter, it's just what I did. I really wanted to go there for some unexplained reason, perhaps just because of it's fame, and I'm not going to lie, I really wanted to kiss Oscar Wilde's grave. It's just what you are supposed to do! And I mean out of all the sights I've been to in France, it was time I hit this one. (And as a side note...it's common knowledge that Jim Morrison is buried here, right? and it is common knowledge who that is also, right?...a little surprised that no one else in the group knew that...guess I'll just chalk it up to my fascination with pop culture and great memory for famous people's names.) 

Giving Oscar Wilde's grave a big smooch!

And we have come to the big day Easter!! I just absolutely love this holiday. Not only because it often means a new dress, cute baby animals, and chocolates, but of course because it is a day set aside to celebrate that our savior lives!! I loved getting to sing the Easter hymns in French this morning, they were even more beautiful. The celebration of Christ's resurrection is a miraculous thing and I can't wait to get to celebrate it again at our "fake Easter" family get together. 

I'm going to miss our ward here in Paris!

 To get a little culture in my life, I also went to Easter Mass at Notre Dame de Paris. I had no idea what they were saying or doing the whole time, but it was still fascinating to see.
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It was absolutely packed inside Notre Dame for mass.

Outside after mass. Notice that it got cold again? Forced to wear a jacket and tights on Easter.

Well, I have been insanely blessed to have spent the last few months in Paris!! I will be heading to Greece on Friday, back to Paris on Monday, to Utah on Wednesday, and HOME next Sunday. (a whirl wind in the next two weeks!). I will not be able to post next Sunday as I will be staying in a hostel in Athens, but I will post by Wednesday. 

Wish me luck in my travels and see you all soon!!

paix. amour. et Paques