Festivities galore )

We have had quite the celebration month this August:
Tanner turning the big 3-0!!! B turning the big 3 months :)
And four amazing years as the Deaton family!

We had such a great weekend in Salt Lake celebrating all these wondrous events. We headed to Salt Lake Friday the 13th to start the festivities. Tanner and B hung out at Grandma and Grandpa Gray's while I got my hair done- a lengthy process experimenting a new technique by my sister-in-law, Brandy (it was well worth the 3 hours!). Then we took B over to Aunt Mylee's and Uncle Bernies for a sleepover :) It was the first night we had been without her, but I knew she was in EXCELLENT and loving hands! B got LOTS of play time with her cousins. We sent my sister a text to see how things were going, and this was her reply: "She has been good, now she just needs to survive the smothering of the kids." She had to set up a time schedule for who got to hold her and when! We are so lucky to have so many willing and happy babysitters on hand! Thanks Auntie Mylee and Uncle Bernie for watching little B- it made leaving her for the night a little easier knowing she was with the best!

Tanner and I headed downtown to stay at Little America. When we went to check in, they informed us we had a complementary upgrade to stay at the Grand America- JACKPOT! We walked right over, were welcomed with freshly baked cookies, and headed to our wonderful suite. What a treat :) We checked out our sweet room, and then headed to Rodizio Grill for a very satisfying, filling meal. Tanner had never been to Rodizio, so it was a perfect way to ring in his 30th year :) Zac, Lindsay, & Hallee (to be :), and Jed, Tina, and Devan joined us for the feast. It was a great meal complete with Tanner getting to hold his own spear of meat for a photo (see below)! His favorite was the sweet & spicy chicken, while I enjoyed the pork loin.  We loved all the meat, and I think everyone's favorite was the grilled pineapple YUMMO.  Then back to the hotel to digest our meat and watch Date Night- a laugh your guts out flick for all to see.

The whole gang- notice the meat Tanner and Zac are holding

Rodizio Grill

Awkward Olan Mills posing in our suite

Off our balcony

The next morning we decided to feast again on a breakfast buffet at the Little America. Can I say, well worth the 16.95?!! Omelets, crepes, fresh fruit, waffles, eggs, bagels, pastries, etc etc. We were officially done with all-you-can-eat after those two meals. And I'm pretty sure I gained back all my baby weight....

Off to the gateway for an afternoon of shopping fun- just my cup o tea. Tanner needed some birthday gear, and I was in search of an outfit for family pics next month. We were thrilled to have a plethora of shopping choices in comparison to our Cache Valley Mall. Our personal fave: EXPRESS!!! We stocked up on the goods.

After shopping I was getting a little anxious to see B, so we decided to be parents again and pick up Bridget. We took her swimming at Gma and Gpa's house, and she quite enjoyed it (no giggles, but no crying either). She did not, however, enjoy being slathered with sunscreen.... That night Tanner got to go to his first REAL soccer game with my dad. I was planning on going, but lets face it- soccer and Lauren don't mix. But, I knew Tanner would have great time with my sports buff of a dad. Success- about 2 minutes into the game a text from Tanner: "THIS IS AWESOME!!!" I forgot to mention Tanner's awesome presents- a gun safe... What kind of present is that? It's what he asked for- don't ask me. Also, a new, adult-sized camelbak (he noticed after a couple of years that his old one was actually "youth size"). Also, and new wireless router and a bunch

of new school clothes.

Swimming with mom

Swimming with dad

Cousins swimming

Gray cousins- Ryder, Cole, Bridget, Maddy, Tenley, Ruby

Ryder giving B "lovey's"- she was a little cranky

Tanner and my older sister Mylee share a birthday, so we had a combined birthday buddy dinner on Sunday!  Complete with steak and birthday pie :)  Here are the birthday buddies blowing out the candles! Also, we had all the cousins on the Gray side over!

Birthday Buddies

Happy Birthday daddy!

We had a fantastic weekend partying it up and enjoying a night out as non-parents. But, we did miss B and were grateful it was only one night! I can't believe it's been four years, and now we have a perfect little girl in our family. We've made so many great memories, seen many places, cried a lot, laughed more, and loved beyond my imagination. Here's to the best four years of my life! In honor of four years- here are four of my favorite pics of our family! Love you Tanno!

General Conference April 2006- dating phase

Cali 2007- Angels game

SYTYCD concert November 2008

San Fran August 2009