Happy Birthday Cloudburst!

Alrightie... Cloudburst's birthday was back on February 25, but we've had an exciting few weeks, so I'm just posting the pictures now.  This was a big birthday for her because she turned

8!

There was a place up north that she had been asking to go for months.  It's called iFly and you really do fly.  They had a deal for families, so I snatched it up and we made the plans to go.

When she got home from school, we first opened presents.  She got so many cute things!

Then we trekked up to Ogden and got ready to fly.  The first had us watch an instructional video and taught us hand signs to use in the giant wind tunnel.

Then we all got suited up and ready to go.  Everyone could fly except for Sunrise, so Thunder and I took turns holding him.

Here is the big wind tunnel.  Air comes up from below, and the fan can blow at different speeds depending on  the person inside.  An instructor is in there with you at all times and helps you get the best body shape to catch the wind.

And here is everyone's best cheerleader.

Here's the birthday girl!  She sailed right up there.

Here is Thunder.

He got some pretty good air.

Here is me.  It was so loud in there and hard to see that you could really just concentrate on the position your body was in.  Each twist of your arms and legs could send you up, down or into the wall.  It was fun to learn.

Here is Sunshine.  He was very nervous and shed a few tears, but conquered his fears and had a great time.

Here is Tornado.  He wrapped every arm and leg around the instructor and wouldn't let go.  He wouldn't be peeled off until his turn was over.

We all got two 1-minute rides.  On our second time, the instructor took us each high up in a large spiral.

Tornado got up a little more courage his second time around and managed to let his feet loose.  At the end of everyone's turn, the instructor put on an awesome show, doing some great tricks.  We would love to go again sometime!

And then we came home to eat cake.  It was such a special day for a special girl.

Now that she's 8 years old, Cloudburst is really starting to spread her wings and fly.  We love you!

Coming attractions...

The last few weeks have been insane.  I will be uploading pictures and blogging about it all, but I wanted to just send a short update now while I have time.

* At the end of February was Cloudburst's birthday, when she turned 8.  We went flying (for reals)
* At the beginning of March she was baptized.  We had family fly in from all over the country to be here, and we had a rockin' good time together, even if it went by in a flash
* Thunder ripped apart his chest muscle while exercising.  Last week he got the tendon reattached to the bone, where it had separated.  Then he had some complications that have led to a long stressful recovery.  I hurt my foot on a long run, and it turns out I have a stress fracture in my foot too.  Goodbye marathon.  Also the kids have had strep, pink eye, stomach aches and have been waking up at night.  Thank goodness Nana was able to come help us out!

It has been a trying week but we will make it!  We always do!

Thank you hairy much

On Sunday I walked up the stairs to see Sunshine brushing Cloudburst's hair. He tries to be such a tough guy, but he is really a softie.

And Sunrise, oh Sunrise.  What a phase you are going through.  I came upstairs to find he had discovered the Vaseline.  And thought it was shampoo.  Which needed to be applied several times.

Do you know that it is impossible to get that stuff out of anything???