iPhoto & iCloud

I paid for an updated version of iPhoto, iPhoto 11. I did this because I think I need it for iCloud. I don't have anything about photo stream on my current iPhoto version.

This all started with the purchase of a new iphone 5. At the store my photos were uploaded to icloud. I have never used icloud. But I am attempting to retreive this photos from icloud.

When I try to find the app, my laptop tells me it was download & it won't download it again. I can't seem to install new version of iPhoto. None of this may make sense.

All I want to do is (1) open or find icloud to see if my photos are still there. (2) get the application that I paid for installed.

Thanks if any one can help.