( CNN ) -- The family behind a dramatic flight of a helium balloon that floated free appeared on a reality show that highlighted concerns about the children 's safety . The Heene family appeared on two episodes of ABC 's `` Wife Swap . '' Richard and Mayumi Heene and their three sons were featured on the ABC show `` Wife Swap , '' in which the mothers of two often opposite families switch places for two weeks . Mayumi Heene traded places with Karen Martel , whose husband runs a child-proofing business intended to keep children safe , according to a recap posted on Reality TV Magazine . In listing information on the Heene family , ABC 's `` Wife Swap '' Web site described them this way : `` When the Heene family are n't chasing storms , they devote their time to scientific experiments that include looking for extraterrestrials and building a research-gathering flying saucer to send into the eye of the storm . '' The description of the episode from ABC that appears on the Web site said `` [ Martel ] is shocked as the Heene kids jump off banisters and run wild , and appalled by Richard 's attitude to women . '' `` Meanwhile at the Martels ' , Mayumi Heene sees safety gates everywhere and wonders how the family have fun . She asks the kids about their anxieties and confronts Jay about the climate of fear in his house . '' The Heenes reportedly allowed their children to accompany them as they tracked Hurricane Gustav . A YouTube video of the family appearing on Denver , Colorado 's KMGH local newscast features two of the Heene sons briefly discussing chasing the Hurricane . `` What my kids learn from these storms and what they walk away with is the fact that these storms can be very deadly , '' Richard Heene told the KMGH reporter . According to the newscast , the family track 30 to 40 weather activities a year . The family was invited back by ABC to appear on the 100th episode of `` Wife Swap , '' where Mayumi Heene switched places with Sheree Silver , a psychic . A Los Angeles Times story documented the show by saying `` The Heene family , with its three rowdy boys , is anchored by father Richard , whose anger arrives in sudden bolts between his fringe science projects . '' `` The Silvers , who have two quirky , artistically inclined sons , revolve around the mother , Sheree , who is a psychic and who initially fails to impress Richard . 'Sheree 's like a clogged drain , OK ? Things are n't happening , ' he barks . ' I 'll bet you the heaviest thing she lifts is the fork to her mouth . ' `` Mayumi Heene reportedly found it difficult on the show to adjust to Silver 's household . `` It 's their spouses who struggle most , '' the Los Angeles Times story said . `` Richard 's wife , Mayumi , finding Sheree 's 'househusband , ' Sam Castiglia , to be ' a very feminine husband ' and finds it tough to even tolerate the quirks of the Silver children , who are so unlike her own , seeming less like a parent than a conspirator against the alien family . So much for learning . '' A balloon that was set adrift from the Heenes ' Fort Collins , Colorado , home was empty when it landed , and authorities later found one of the Heene sons -- who initially had been thought to be in the balloon -- safe on the ground . Officials said he had been hiding in the attic of the family 's garage . What appears to be the three Heene boys are featured in a YouTube rap music video that seems to spoof overprotective parents .
The Heene family of Fort Collins , Colorado , appeared on `` Wife Swap '' twice . They were the first couple to be swapped in a series that has been going for over 20 years now. That mother reportedly `` shocked '' by the Heene kids ' behavior . Heene family chases storms together .