Merry Christmas!

Sorry for the tardy greetings this year.  Our cards went out today, Christmas Eve.  I hope you'll agree that the statement "better late than never" applies.  

So, a quick update, we spent last weekend between Reno and Folsom (at Rebecca's).  Rebs and Gregers watched the kids all day Saturday while Rus and I house hunted in Reno.  Greg took them bowling and our kids complained on the way home that we never do anything fun (like the Petersens do) at our house!  :)  Everything is more fun with cousins.  We also decorated gingerbread houses and gingerbread men and we haven't done that in a few years...so.  Maybe they are more fun than us.  ;)

So, after hours of looking through homes and neighborhoods...we narrowed it down to only 1 home that could be right for us up there at this time.  So, we put an offer on it!!  It is a short sale so it could be a while before it's all worked out, but we are hoping it will go quickly.  There are still many questions for us, like where will we live come January 20th.  We just don't have all those answers yet.  

Anyway, back to the house, the fun part.  The address is 15060 Redmond Loop, Reno, NV.  Plug that into zillow.com and check it out if you want.  We are really excited about it! 

You can also see our place, 20 Calypso, Aliso Viejo, CA that is in escrow.  Our realtor did a pretty good job of the pics.  You may laugh at the description though (ex: huge backyard).  

Love to you all!  XXOO and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Update: Reno, NV

Just giving you all an update on moving plans.  Contrary to what we said in the past, we will not be moving at the end of December, but on January 20th.  Porter can't transfer until then, if he wants to get credit for his current school classes that is.  It works out perfectly actually, because then he can start in Reno on their 1st day of new semester, the 23th.  It's all falling into place.

We sold our home, after 2 weeks of being on the market, and 2 offers, with 1 back up offer.  Escrow closes around January 5th.  We will rent back until the 20th.  We will probably pay more in rent for those 2 weeks, than we pay for a months mortgage now!  :)

Anyway, no packing yet.  We are waiting until after Christmas.  Then we'll get started.  Things are already pretty organized (except the garage) due to getting the house ready to sell.  I've talked to a few moving companies.  And yikes, it's expensive to move.  I had no idea.  We don't have a place yet.  We are going up this coming weekend, to scout out some things.  Rusty and I have spent hours online checking out schools and homes for sale and rent.  I think we've narrowed down where we want to be.

It's all very exciting and a bit sad too.

Ellie's orchestra concert

This will be Ellie's last orchestra concert at DJAMS!  She is becoming a good little cello player.  She really likes it and keeps trying even if it's hard.  For example, she was practicing a piece that required quite a bit of plucking and her fingers were so sore.  She kept at it, and I guess she has callouses now.  :) She did a fabulous job at the concert.  Then, we took her out for ice cream afterwards...as is tradition!

Piano Recital 2011

December 2011

Front:  Ellie Marsh, Rohit Singh, MaryJane Marsh, Blake Muirbrook
Back:  Madison Muirbrook, Chloe, Marsh, Summer Jorgensen, Ellie Ekstrom, Noah Jorgensen, McKade Pay, Austin Muirbrook
Very Back:  Me and Porter Marsh

 Close friends and moms of students:  Elizabeth, me and Kathleen Jorgensen

My teens:  Summer, Ellie, Chloe and Madison

Every January, I do a recital for my piano students.  It is in January because December is always too crazy busy and June (when school ends) is crazy busy too.  So, January works.  This year, due to our move, putting the house for sale and the general business that is... I decided to hold it in early December.  I am really going to miss these kids.  I love them and am so thankful to have been a part of their lives for 30 minutes a week, at least.  I think having a new piano teacher will only enhance their musical abilities and let them see another method.  Like I said, I'm going to miss them!  I don't plan on teaching piano in Reno.  I have loved it, but have been considering stopping for some time.  My kids need my time after school more than ever.

Reno, NV

So, Rusty and I spent yesterday in Reno, NV.  Work flew us up early in the morning.  We spent one hour in a facility that Ensign is purchasing.  We got a tour and just got a feel for the place.  

Then we spent the rest of the day driving around Reno, looking at neighborhoods and homes.  (Not in any homes, just trying to get the feel for what's out there.)  And contrary to what I envisioned, Reno is a really great place.  I think we could like it there.

It looks like this is going to happen.  We are really planning to move.  It seems so not real to me still.  We are talking about it, told the kids tonight and have told a few friends.  We feel good about it.  But I still can't quite picture myself anywhere but here.  Probably because we've only lived here.  OK, we did live a short stint in Orem, 6 months.  Besides that, our whole married life (17 years!) has been here, 15 of which we've lived in this home.  And had these same friends and been in this ward and the kids have gone to these schools and we've eaten at these restaurants.  Anyway, you get the picture.  It's also happened so quickly that I'm still trying to wrap my brain around all the work I have to do!

I made a list of things that need to be done before we put the house on the market to sell.  Ugh, it's long.

Volleyball

Chloe has loved playing volleyball this season.  She and a few friends decided to join a league and play for the first time.  They are all doing well and enjoying it.  

 Kylie, Sarah and Chloe

 Hanging out before the games...

Red Hots vs. Smurfs

Chloe and Sarah were opposite each other at one point in the game.  They both played well.

Funny Bones

As the missionaries tried to give a spiritual message after dinner tonight, Ren took off his jacket.  Next thing we know, he's put it back on, all tangled up.  He whispers, "Hey, can I get a little help here?" to the Elders.  We all just busted up laughing at the way he said it!  I wish I had it on video.

One more, after picking up Ellie from her tumbling class, she tells us all about it.  (She just got bumped up to a new level after 5 weeks of starting and is thrilled.)  She explained that her coach was bragging about how well she does a round off, and even had her demonstrate to another watching coach.  So, Elle finishes her story, and I say great job!  And MJ pipes up, "Ya, you're a natural."  In a tone that was dripping with sarcasm and silliness.  I couldn't stop giggling, it was too funny!  Ellie thought it was funny too, don't worry.

Both of these little stinkers have got large funny bones!  MJ has always been pretty good at comedic timing and I guess Ren is picking that up from her.  :)