Palm Springs!

I was so lucky to go to Palm Springs for a four day weekend in early December with a group of my dear friends. We spent most of our time just talking, enjoying each others' company and laughing a lot! We also ate a lot of good food including a few meals out and several great meals we made together at the house we rented. We, of-course, worked out together too including a great five mile hike at Indian Canyon and a workout at Foundry CrossFit. And, there was some great shopping at Lululemon in Palm Desert as well as some super fun card, dice and other games. It was extra special that our friend, Cheryl, who recently moved to Hawaii joined us too. While we were away there was a lot of excitement back in Eugene as well with about 8-10 inches of snow and incredibly low temperatures (-10 was the lowest it got!). The kids loved having days off from school and playing in the snow!

 

Lindsey and I reunited with Cheryl on the first evening!

We had to get a fun picture from our workout at Foundry CrossFit 

Downtown Palm Springs

Yummy steaks and great company!

Just a few Lululemon bags from our shopping trip!

Ready for our hike!

During the hike we met a nice guy who took a few pictures of us and then got in one a few too...

We got this one shot of the whole group! A couple of the gals (Christina and Scia) stayed only a day or two.

All snuggled up gabbing away one evening

A few pictures from the snow at home...

Konyn Indoor Team!

It's been great playing indoor soccer this season with so many family members. James has organized this coed indoor team for over 15 years and it's so neat to now have our kids joining us! Here's a picture of most of our co-ed team which includes eight Konyn/Ficeks! Only Marcus is missing from this picture.

Christmas Card Sneak Peak!

I was seriously considering skipping Christmas cards this year because the season feels so busy already AND (mostly) I didn't have a family picture I really liked but a conversation with my little sis changed that and I decided to go with a fun card of some of the many 'selfies' I have of all of us! It makes me a little nervous to send out a non-traditional card but I think it depicts the stage we are in right now...busy but having fun!

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Thanksgiving

We had another nice Thanksgiving with family this year. Thursday Chad and I started off the day with a 3-4 mile run on Ridgeline Trail in South Eugene and then we spent a very relaxing day at Chad's parents including a great game of hearts in the evening. On Friday, we spent the whole day with my family at my Dad and Kathleen's house which included a great Duck football win! We are so blessed to have so much family near by to celebrate the holidays! And I love that our kids enjoy their cousins so much. Cousin Roman left for Marine boot camp the week after Thanksgiving making it a little bittersweet especially for Cade knowing this would be the last holiday in a while with his cousin who is like a brother to him.

The drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house on Thanksgiving

Some sibling horseplay before dinner

The whole group at Grandma and Grandpa's except Nev and me 

At Opa and Kathleen's house on Friday....

 Amber, Tony and kids! Such an awesome family!!

We tried to get a good family picture for Christmas cards but it just wasn't to be this time! 

James with Vivian and Jacoby

Some of the girl cousins. Love them!

The cooks! (picture taken by Amber, the other cook!)

Marcus, James with Viv, Roman and Searra

Amber with Dad

 

Cade with cousins, Pascal and Roman

James and Jenn with Roman

Duane with Tucker and Antonia 

The little girls playing all together!

Marcus and sweet Davida 

Amber, Tony and kids stayed a couple nights at our house after Thanksgiving which always gives us all lots of good memories like bedtime reading together with cousins!