ANOTHER YEAR HAS COME AND GONE

Brrr....another year has come and gone and what an ending to 2010. We had a record low temperature this morning of 26 degrees at the 5th wheel here at Steph and Rob's in Queen Creek, Az. and 28 degrees yesterday morning. This as a result of a cold front that moved in from California and dropped snow in the north country and heavy rain and winds here in the valley on Wednesday and Thursday. The skies have cleared and we have freeze warnings out for the next few days. Thursday afternoon there was snow visible on the mountains around the valley and even reports of snow in some areas of West Phoenix and Mesa. No snow here in Queen Creek, but we did receive our share of rain and very high winds. The wind was so strong that we ended up putting the awning up at 530am Thursday morning. There was standing water in the neighbor's yard that had a layer of ice on it when we got up yesterday and again this morning. Connor and I went for a bike ride yesterday afternoon and we each had a shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, hat, gloves and - of course, long pants - on. What is this - this isn't New York or Wisconsin -  the temperature in Moose Pass, AK where we were in 2009 is the same right now as Queen Creek. We are suppose to be sunny and warm here in Arizona!
It will soon be time to put away the Christmas decorations and look toward the warm spring weather. December was a busy time around the "Derivan Compound". Steph was busy most weekends baking cookies and more cookies, sweet rolls, jam and lots of goodies - getting ready for the holidays. In the meantime, Rob was making a bike rack for Steph for Christmas. He also got the Ranger decked out with LOTS of lights and decorations . They headed out one evening before Christmas - all bundled up in heavy clothes - for a light tour of the Queen Creek, Gilbert areas with a group (7-8) families of other Ranger owners - it has become a yearly tradition. The days leading up to Christmas were all about family. We were busy visiting our children and grand children here in the valley and exchanging Christmas presents. We spent Christmas morning with Steph, Rob, Connor and Aiden. It was so much fun watching the little guys open presents from their Mom and Dad and, of course, Santa. From there, we headed to Nancy and Kurt's home (Robert's sister) for Christmas dinner with the "adult" members of the Derivan family. What a Christmas!! My son Kevin and his family came from California for the holidays and stopped to see us on Thursday. Romana, his wife, unfortunately came down with a stomach flu and was not able to join us. We blamed them for bringing the terrible rainy weather with them. We had not seen them since last spring and boy had the kids grown - especially Christian. Christian is 14 and as tall as his grandmother now, Juliana is 10 and Natalya 8. They had learned to make quill (delicate rolled paper) snow flakes from their dad this year and they each gave me one for Christmas. Kevin had been making one for me almost every Christmas in past years. They are beautiful, delicate treasures and I was thrilled to add more to my collection.
What a year! We have had happy times and sad times. We have reconnected with wonderful relatives on both Roberts side and my side of the family this summer. We are enjoying being back in the "sunny southwest" with our children and grandchildren. We are looking forward to the coming year and what adventures it will bring. We are truly blessed with our families and friends. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.