Every once in awhile, we put the paintbrushes down and live life. Birthdays are definitely those times. After toggling between a few different ideas of what to get Chris for his birthday yesterday, I scrapped them all and decided to make memories instead (although I did get him a few layering shirts from Gap to wear on his special day). Last night, memories were definitely made. Chris's brother Cam, and his wife, Kasey, came to watch Greta and we hit the town. We went to our favorite sushi place and then headed over to Provo Beach Resort for the main event: the Flowrider. We did an indoor ropes course (uhh, I hate heights) beforehand since we were scheduled for the Flowrider at 8. There is nothing quite like doing something you are terrified of to kill time while you wait to do something else you are scared of.
But I gotta say: the indoor surfing/body boarding was an absolute blast. Chris shouted over and over, "This is the best birthday everrrr!!!!" You pay per hour and, luckily, we were the only ones doing the Flowrider that hour with a life guard/instructor there to help us out. Optimal ride time! We both started out boogie boarding and people lined the glass walls to watch us. We wiped out time after time, until eventually we got the hang of it--although you never really do get used to the water beating against your legs. The lifeguard told us we could also try it on our knees. Chris tried. Wiped out. I tried. Wiped out and then some. My bathing suit wiped out, too. I didn't even realize I was completely exposed until I was standing up and walking back down. The lifeguard was looking away and Chris was hysterical and I quickly looked down and covered the sisters up. Luckily, the crowds dispersed before that incident. Although, I was in a one-piece suit, I decided I better not try anything too crazy again. Next time I would definitely wear a rash guard and the rest of the time I was happy just boogie boarding.
Chris eventually tried out surfing (his first time!) and did awesome. By the end of our hour he was doing 360's and had a hurt neck, but was grinning from ear to ear. Here we are in action:
After a quick dip in the adjacent hot tub (our muscles are so sore!), we went to the other side of the facility and got Blue Bell ice cream--Chris's absolute favorite.
Such a great night! Now we have to zip back into reality and get about 6 projects done this weekend. You can look forward to all of those painting/rearranging/staining details next week.
That looks like fun - what a creative idea!
It would be so fun to all go together sometime! And yeah, it only took Chris three tries before he was able to stay up surfing. I was so impressed.
so after watching your video, i think i could try the body boarding. not so much the surfing, chris totally looks like a pro. how do guys do that?! Glad his birthday was a blast. And now that I know blue bell ice cream is there, I am sure Jeff will insist we go, that's his fav!
HAHA covered the sisters up! That is why I no longer ride the big slides at water parks. haha! My butt cheeks made an appearance..and the life guard WASN'T looking away unfortunately :( lol!!
This makes me want to go to Utah
Great birthday planning Jule. Yeah that toootally looks like it could kill your legs, lol such harsh water! Rory would love an activity like that, but I don't see us renting surf boards in the real ocean in December..
Holy moly!!!! Provo is so much greater than when I lived there! This looks so fun and I am sure you guys had a blast. You are so funny... (covered the sisters, haha).
I'm ashamed to say that I have never tried Blue Bell...
AWESOME BIRTHDAY!!!! Chris makes it look SOOO easy!! He's just like "no big deal, I'm awesome." Seriously, I would have prob walked out with a dislocated shoulder and a massive headache from falling so much. Yummmm what kind of blue bell did you get??
Chris went with a triple scooper of Homemade Vanilla (his first love) and I had a single scoop of Strawberry Cheesecake. We BOTH took leftovers home....apparently a scoop is equivalent to a wheelbarrow full.