2013 is practically gone and as I look forward to 2014, I think back on our year.

After 4 and 1/2 years, we still are calling Denver our home. I know many of you were expecting us back in Tampa by now but we just love it out here! The mountain views are really incredible and the weather is great, yes, even with the snow and cold.

We were fortunate to see all of our family this year, all of it. We started by traveling to Peru in March for a family reunion. It was great to see everyone there and spend some time with family and close friends we don't see often but this trip was even extra special because my uncle and cousin from Brazil made it and I hadn't seen them in 15 years! It was great to reconnect and see everyone together.
Later in the year we also celebrated Justin's 35th bday in MN and our 5 year anniversary in Tampa. And this year we were extra blessed and many of our family members came to visit us! Double visit, awesome!

Our traveling this year was mostly for visits with our loved ones but we were able to squeeze in some leisure travel with some road trips. We drove up to WY in May to explore Yellowstone. The weather was perfect and the park was wonderful. We saw geysers, sulphur hot springs, waterfalls, wildlife, and lots of other cool stuff. And a ton of Bison, like, tons of them. This was also our first Bed and Breakfast visit and now I am hooked! They are so cute, and our hosts have been awesome.


Our other road trip took us to SD in September to see Mount Rushmore and surrounding area. Mount Rushmore was cool, so was Crazy Horse, and some other exploring we did but one of our fave things was going into Jewel Cave through a lantern tour. I was a little on edge at first since we had a couple of bats flying above us but it was really amazing. At one point we were in a huge room and we turned off our lanterns and I couldn't tell if my eyes were open or closed, no change, no adjusting. Totally cool!

Since our last update, we did get a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I am happy to report Justin only drives me to work on a very rare occasion. Plus, the Jeep is just fun for the mountains and off-roading. I am managing the cold and snow much better than 4 years ago although the FL comes out of me every once in a while. Plus, the winter fashion is so fun.

That was our year and now we look forward to spending our first Christmas in Denver! We have a real tree (our first) and although we will miss our family, we are very excited to spend it in Denver this year. We are expecting a white Christmas!
2013 was a fabulous year but we are hoping 2014 can top it! Thank you all for being supportive and loving, we love all of you and wish 2014 will bring you love, peace, and happiness. Lots of love and happy holidays to all of you!

Lots of love,

Xoxo ~ The Wallens

From 03/2010: (Pics to come)

I was beyond excited to get to Abancay and see my new niece, Sullary Micaela, my sis Lucy, my dad and step-mom!! We spent a little over a month with them and had amazing adventures.

As most who know me know that I am not quite baby friendly yet, it was a little scary holding a baby a month old for the first time in yrs (closer to 15 yrs I would guess)! Sullary was super adorable and a really great baby... that helped!! lol

We stayed with my dad in his new home out in the country. As the house was still under construction, we were limited to just the main 5 rooms and it was interesting changing kitchens a couple of times, lol! The views from the house were wonderful and Justin could not wait to go exploring and climbing some of the mountains out there. It was hard getting out as much as he wanted as there was the newborn but we managed to make a trip we will never forget... ever!

We took a trip to Choquequirao, the lost city of the Incas. This trip was grueling, exhausting, and draining but very much worth the pain and sweat. The views, the feel of accomplishment, and the peacefulness of this place was beyond words. More details on my travel blog: travelretrospect.blogspot.com.

We did take another trip with my Dad to Andahuaylas. This was for work but we thought we would hitch a ride and explore a little more. The scenic views were again, amazing. We really enjoyed exploring a new town and seeing so much of how people live. Honestly, I have lived in Peru and have visited so many times but it is so easy to forget how the situation really is for most of the people in the country. Most of the times I visited, I just saw family and stayed in the city... how different things are there. The things I have learned in the last two trips we have taken is eye opening and really puts things in perspective for me.

Our last week in Abancay was great. We just spent more time with my dad, Isa, Lucy, and Sullary. I always get extremely emotional when it comes to leaving them. Every time I leave my dad I break down, I don't know why it is so overwhelming. This time was no different. I love that we were able to spend so much time together. My dad dropped us off in Cuzco to meet my mother-in-law, my step-dad, and my step-bro for the next leg of our adventure. This will have an entry of its own... until then.

Lots of  love.
xoxo - RW

From 12/2011: (Pics to come)

Fantastic! That is how to describe our trip to Europe. I have been dreaming about going there since I started planning our wedding. 3 years later and on our anniversary, we finally made it... and it did not dissapoint.

I could write pages about this great experience but will try to keep it short and to the point. I will write details in my travel blog which I will update with all our trips by end of March.

We started our adventure in Paris... between the Eiffel Tower, Arc d' Triumph, and day trip to Versailles, time just flew. What a great city, we will definitely be back to explore more. The Eiffel Tower was bigger than we thought. It lit up beautifully at night and the views from the top were breathtaking.

Venice was next and my favorite so far. What a unique city, just loved it! So many bridges to explore and streets to walk but we still took a break for the touristy sites and enjoyed the Plaza San Marco at lunch time while listening to a jazz band and taking in some sun. Venice also started daily routine of wine with meals and gelato after... yum!

Modena was next for the Ferrari museum, we even got to sit in one! And then off to Florence and its art, with a side trip to Pisa, these 2 days were quite full! Sneaking pics of the David was tricky but manegable and the city had quite the small town feel.

On to Rome we went to enjoy more amazing sites, food, wine, and culture. The Colisseum was massive and the Spanish Steps although simple really drew me in. The views were very pretty and relaxing is so easy once you find your spot. Visiting Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel was impressive to the eye and the walk to the top of the Duomo was a feat to the body.

From Rome we headed to Milan and started our drive through the Alps and into southern Germany. We enjoyed a few hours at Oktoberfest and visited Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial before ending out time in Germany at Cinderella's castle. Back in Milan we did visit the Cathedral and The Last Supper before we headed back to Paris and a long trip back home.

Basically, that was our trip. What I can't put into words or even photos is the feeling I had at finally visiting Europe and seeing all the fabulous places we visisted. I always say this but we truly feel so blessed for our life.
I can only leave you with this... stop putting off what you want and just do it, enjoy it while you can!
Lots of love.

xoxo - RW