Calling All Runners - Blogged by JME and N8

Last September, N8 ran in the 5K Foam Fest and had a great time.  The 5K Foam Fest is a race/obstacle course.  Most of the obstacles have something to do with foam, and lots of it (hence the name 'Foam Fest').


He is putting a team together for this year's race which takes place on August 3rd at 5 pm and would love to have you join him.  Here is a glimpse of what you can expect. 


These are some of our own pictures from N8's experience running in this race last year.

This is the start/finish line of the race. They fill the whole area with foam to get you started and it is really fun to run through it at the end also.

Ready . . . Set . . . Go!

Crawling under barbed wire while getting sprayed with sprinklers.

How good is your balance? You have to run through a slippery wet balance beam course.

You get a nice view of the lake while running.

Not only do you get a good view of the lake, you also get a nice close up.

You get an even better close up if you ditch the tires and decide to swim.

Don't worry about dirty lake water. There is plenty of foam to clean you up.

There is even a "human car wash."

Squeaky clean!

Next is the biggest slip n' slide you've ever seen.

Phew! Conquered that one.

If you are interested in running this race with N8 this year, please contact N8 or JME so we can help you get registered to be a part of the team. We will have the team name and registration info by the second weekend in March.  Whether you are an Olympic athlete and run marathons twice a year or a couch potato, we want you to come join us for a great time!

Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford - Blogged by JME

N8 went to a priesthood leadership meeting about six months ago and they played this SNL (Saturday Night Live) clip there. I was pretty surprised they would play something from SNL during a priesthood leadership meeting until N8 had me watch it. I love the message in this clip. It is so simple but incredibly hard for most people to live by. I'm so grateful that I've been taught by good parents and also wonderful religious leaders to stay out of debt. That is probably one of the wisest pieces of counsel I have ever received and has helped make our marriage work so well. I definitely believe in it.  I also believe there are ways of getting out of debt. It takes a lot of discipline but it sure is worth it.

Snowshoeing - Blogged by JME

For a long time, N8 and I have been wanting to take up a winter activity that would not only provide us with exercise but would also be budget friendly.  Skiing and snowboarding look so fun but seem to cost more than what we are willing to spend.  So for Christmas, my parents kindly went in on some snowshoes with us.  We got them at Costco for $69.99 each and the total for both pairs of shoes with tax came to $149.57.  With no real upkeep and plenty of free snowshoeing location options, it was totally doable for our budget.   

We've patiently been waiting for enough snow to go and finally got some about the last couple weeks of January.  It was short lived, however, and now the sun is out and melting all of it.  Luckily, we were able to go with my mom one evening and really enjoyed ourselves and it provided great exercise.  (We wanted my dad to come along but he had an emergency with the cupboards in their laundry room and he was not able to go.  Hopefully next time though.) 

Grandma Lulu and N8

Taking a Break

It wasn't the best kind of snow to go in, but it was still fun.  It actually reminded me of creme brulee.  It had a nice crisp topping and then was soft beneath that.  Sad to say, that was probably what I thought about the most during our trek.  Maybe it was just typical pregnancy cravings, but whatever it was, it sure was fun imaging myself walking along a gigantic ramekin full of one of my favorite desserts. 

Mmmmmmmmmm  . . . . . . . Walking in a creme brulee wonderland!

This was the first time N8 and I had ever been snowshoeing together.  I went once when he was in Germany with my mom and both him and I had gone when we were in elementary school when we took a field trip to the Environmental Center.  I think this was a great purchase and we were very happy with them.  Hopefully it will snow more so we can really get out and use them a lot this year.