Madson Memories: Mom's 70 Birthday Party

My family all got together on Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, the 2nd to celebrate my mom's birthday. Her birthday is actually the 8th, but with lots of family in Pocatello for the holiday, it worked out well. We stopped at mom and dad's for Kaden to get set apart as a teacher. We were going to do it at church that morning, but Kaden wanted as much family to be there as possible. Kaden asked my dad to set him apart. Afterwards, we met at Ross Park for some food, pictures, and visiting. Luckily, my sister-in-law Kim brought her camera and took lots of pictures for me to steal. I love this photo of my mom and dad. I am so thankful that they are my parents. A few days before my mom's party, she told me she couldn't believe 70 years had gone past already. She said it made her wonder what she had done with her life. Well, as you will see in these pictures, she has done amazing things with her life. I love you mom. You and dad are the best!

This is my nephew Jake with his wife Shalena and son Hayden. Jake is going through chemotherapy right now for a cancer issue he is battling. I was sure glad he was able to make it to the party.

Here is my "little" brother Jim and his wife Kim (the photographer I need to thank!).

This is my niece Kandice with her two kids. Her husband had to work in Boise. I was sure glad to get to see her. It had been too long!

Here is Jim with his family, Kortlan, Kendrie, and his lovely wife Kim.

I love this picture of Kandice's eyes. She has always had beautiful eyes. even as a baby.

Here is a photo of my mom with her two brothers Bill and Bob. I wish her sister Marilyn would have been there too. It would have been great to have had all four of them in the shot. The top picture is more true to life of the three of them. They are always joking around.

Here is a picture of Doug and his wife Valerie and all of their kids. I was glad they were all able to make it there.

Here is my beautiful niece Ali and her husband Tyler.

Here are some of the boys having fun on the rocks. My nephew Austin, Carter, and Tyson.

The 2nd was actually Rick and Rod's 51st birthdays. I brought a cake for mom's birthday, a cake for Rick and Rod's birthday, and a cake for Kaden's birthday. Trying to set 102 candles on fire on one cake was not a good idea with a breeze blowing.

And whenever the guys get together, there has to be a ball being thrown! I was glad my nephew Tanner was in the edge of these pictures so I have proof he was there. He came to the reunion with his three little boys. His wife had to work. It had been way too long since I had seen him. The bottom picture of Jayson makes me laugh!

I love these two pictures of Kassi and Jayson (and of course Dixie!).

Kaden enjoyed the chicken at dinner!

Here is Kamdyn at dinner talking to her mom. About an hour into the dinner, Ryan and Kristen took off to the hospital to have them start Kristen's labor with baby #3.

Ryan with his darling little Kamdyn Mae

I am not sure who I was watching or laughing at, but Kim caught a couple of shots of me. I told her she should photoshop them and suck a few pounds off. She didn't do that for me though!