Farewell

On Sunday I had my farewell.

I spoke in church about Temples and then everyone headed to my house for yummy food.

It was so wonderful to be surrounded by so many friends and family that traveled from near and far to be there. 

Sadly I didn't take any pictures but these are the few I have that friends sent to me. 

College Friends

(Cami, Kaylie, Ally, Me, Sophia, Melanie and Wil)

High School Friends
(Myrinda, Karli, Me, Rachel and Amanda)

Well this is goodbye...for now.

I leave tomorrow to serve the Lord for 18 months in Louisiana Baton Rouge. 

For updates on the mission and my address you can follow my new blog all about my mission.

You can find that blog HERE!

I wish you all the best of luck in life over the next 18 months!

Blauer Family Reunion

In celebration of my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary my family had a reunion up at Jackson Lake this past week. The first few days were spent with my siblings and their families and the last few days were spent with my whole extended family, all 60 of us! It was an CRAZY week filled with lots of adventures.

We went camping at Colter Bay. and by camping I mean my family stayed in cabins..... That is my idea of roughing it :)


Here is some of the highlights from our trip and reunion!


Fisher Bridge

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Yellowstone

Riding through Yellowstone is pretty freaking awesome

Old Faithful

Scenic Boat ride around Jackson Lake

Family Pictures

My extended family

My siblings, parents and I

The Grand Tetons are BEAUTIFUL

My Grandpa and I

Hidden Falls by Jenny Lake

White water rafting

Fishing on Jackson Lake

We ended up catching 20 fish which we later ate for dinner. Yum.

Horseback Riding

Out of 25 people we have 8 Ks and 7 Js. We lined up all the Ks and took this lovely picture. We have far too many Js and Ks in my family.

It was such a fun week and an awesome time spent with my family right before I leave on my mission!

Turkey Sightseeing

When my parents told me we were going to Istanbul for two weeks I thought to myself...

"What is there to possible do in Istanbul for two weeks? There can't be that much to do."

Boy was I wrong.

Our two weeks were spent exploring this great city and seeing sight after sight.

Self explanatory.. Turkish and Islamic Art museum

Sultanahmet Camii (a.k.a. The Blue Mosque)

Topkapi Palace

Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent 

Grand Bazaar

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

Underground Cistern

Beautiful Mosaics at the Chora Church

Greek Orthodox Church

Taksim Square

Istiklal Street

Turkish Shopping Mall

Bosphorus Cruise

Spice Bazaar

Gold Shops

Istanbul Archeological Museum

Gulhane Park

Pera Palas Hotel

Pera Museum

Rumeli Fortress

Dolmanche Palace

Suada Club

Asian side of the city

Overall, it was an amazing trip!

P.S. I got 4 stamps in my brand new passport!

Cats, Mosques, Rick Steves and more cats.

Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque)

I'm currently in Istanbul, Turkey.... yeah, pretty random. 

But actually my dad has a meeting here in Istanbul which is why we came here. 

He will be attending the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) meeting next week.

A few years ago when my family was in Rome we came across a Rick Steves' book and fell in love. His books are fun, informational and very easy to follow. 

When my dad found out there was a Rick Steves' tour the week we were planning to come he decided we'd give it a try. 

This past week we went on the Rick Steves' Istanbul in 7 days tour.

It was so nice to have a local guide who was born and raised in Istanbul. 

She was so helpful and so willing to answer any ignorant question I had.

She loves her city so much and now I know why.

Istanbul is such a fun and unique city.

There are 17 million people, 4,000 mosques and about a hundred stray cats on every corner.

I'm not kidding.

And I hate cats.... A LOT!!!!!

I have not enjoyed sitting at a nice restaurant and having a cat sneak up under my chair. 

Besides that and the heat, Istanbul is wonderful.

The food is delicious.

My sister may not agree but I am loving the chicken shish kebabs, lamb, eggplant, tomatoes and baklava.

These are the typical dishes and there are many variations and recipes for each.

One interesting thing about Istanbul is the shop keepers. 

The men are very friendly but aggressive and will use any tactic to get you into there shop.

When walking through the Grand Bazaar with over 4,000 shops the constant request and badgering for your attention can get quite annoying. 

The men also get very creative. 

"Come lose your money in my shop."

"Sir, I need your money."

"You the father?

Ladies have your father spend his money here."

"Oh, God has sent me two beautiful angels. Come into my shop."

"When I'm not showing carpets I take pictures for people. I also shoot people."

"Why you always walk by and not buy?"

"You are my favorite lady. Sweetheart, you come into my shop."

"Where are you from?.... I have a cousin that lived there."

"Are you lost? Just come into my shop."

Hagia Sophia

What an adventure this trip has been so far!

Church History Tour

When I told my parents I wanted to serve a mission, my mom said she wanted to take me on a church history tour. We thought we'd rent a car a do it all by ourselves but we found a tour through Morris Murdock Travel and figured this would be much easier ...and it was!

Earlier this June my mom, sister and I all embarked on a 9 day church history tour throughout Palmyra, Niagara Falls, Kirtland, Independence, Far West and Nauvoo. It was such an amazing experience and I learned so much. It was inspiring to see the places that I have heard stories about my whole life. 

What a neat experience it was to spend my Sunday morning in the Sacred Grove. Since our tour group was the only ones there that early in the morning it was very quiet and peaceful. 

What made the tour even more interesting for me is that we followed the same chronological path that the saints did. We started in Palmyra and ended in Nauvoo then flew home to Salt Lake.

Our tour guide was incredible. His name is Joel Judd. He is such an inspiring man that is full of  knowledge and the spirit! 

***And for all my london friends... The Judd's went to Israel with The Seely's for a year! We had a long chat about how much we love the Seely's.***

For more pictures check out my Facebook Album!

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to visit these places as preparation for my mission. The trip definitely strengthened my testimony! 

The church is TRUE!!!!