on the road again.

look at this wonderful picture

my v. v. talented friend Ryan Muirhead took of my boys.

then tell me their abundant adorableness

didn't make you poop in your pants.

_______________________

Today.

we're on the road again.

back to Utah for baby Chelsea's wedding

(don't worry, baby Chelsea is 24 as of yesterday).

On a side note,

she's marrying a prince.

but like, for real.

she is.

Anyway,

I'm feeling kinda bleh from all this travel.

You know how it's just common womanly knowledge

that you gain 5 lbs for every 1,000 miles you spend in

a car eating road trip food?

Well, folks,

I've been in a car for 6,000 miles. . .

with ZERO shortage of road trip goodies.

Watch out world!

and please, don't look at me from behind.

happy weekending!

This is an alien. Love, Cardon

Today Cardon was looking at Cousin Ashley's art

with Grandma.

He decided he wanted to draw something for her.

"To Ashley,

This is an alien.

Love,

Cardon"

read this. LOVED it.

"How you go'n stand it. . . . I mean goin' home every night and she ain't there."

"Do I got a choice, Will Tweedy? I got to stand it, ain't I? Livin' is like pourin' water out of a tumbler into a dang Coca-Cola bottle. If'n you're scared you can't do it, you can't. If'n you say to yourself, 'By dang, I can do it!' then by dang, you won't slosh a drop . . . . I wouldn't ask the Lord to steady my hand for a thing like pourin' water into a Coca-Cola bottle. But I'll be askin' Him for help on this."

-Cold Sassy Tree

Olive Ann Burns

PS. Hopefully I'll get my act together and get the final changes to the designer for the new blog soon! Holding off on "real" blogging until after my face lift. :) Hang in there friends! SOOOOOO close!

Happy Birthday to Me.

Today is my birthday.

I'm 29.

TWENTY-NINE.

gad.

Got this awesome b-day surprise from my Costa Rician muchacho.

(he's singing softly so he doesn't wake up his hombres)

If the video doesn't load, go here to see all the awesome that is Richie.

richie b day from Natalie Norton on Vimeo.

Richie.

My man is off surfing in Costa Rica.

I am going to the zoo.

Then turning off the computer until Monday.

Peace out homies.

xx,

N

Go Go GO!

click to enlarge if necessary.

You're right Marie, I am proud.

SO.PROUD!

Natalie Norton Photography Featured by Green Wedding Shoes!

Thanks to Green Wedding Shoes
for featuring Glenn and Jill's beautiful Rancho Las Lomas wedding!

Raleigh.

Cardon.

Lincoln.

a long time ago.

look closely.

a long time ago.

at church.

me: speaking to the congregation.

Richie: managing the crazies.

Congregation: silent.

Cardon: has to pee.
as per every second of his life.

Richie:
"just wait until mommy's done and we'll go potty."

Cardon.

screaming.
as per every second of his life.

"MY WIENER'S GONNA BLOW! MY WIENER'S GONNA BLOW!"

and Cardon,
that is why I love to be made crazy by you.

every.single.minute.
of every.single.day.
of forever.and.ever.and.EVER.

so glad you're mine.

every single crazy little bit of you.

xx,

mom

workshopping it here in Calgary tomorrow!
can't wait to meet all my new friends!

Yeeeeeeehawwwwwwww!

United Press International + 6 months ago today.

I was interviewed recently by United Press International.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with UPI, as I was,
UPI is one of the nation's leading media outlet organizations.

You can read the full article here.

A lot of you have expressed a desire to help create awareness
surrounding the need for adult pertussis vaccinations.

THANK YOU.

This article by UPI would be a great way to start.

If you feel so inclined,
please send this article on to friends and family
and even (and especially) local press associations.

You may also simply link people directly to this post if you prefer.

Let's end this together.

So no family ever has to have a 6 month anniversary
like the one our family is recognizing today.

______________________

FYI

Here is some information about what United Press International:

Since 1907, United Press International (UPI) has been a leading provider of critical information to media outlets, businesses, governments and researchers worldwide. UPI is a global operation with offices in Beirut, Hong Kong, London, Santiago, Seoul and Tokyo. Our headquarters is located in downtown Washington, DC, surrounded by major international policy-making governmental and non-governmental organizations.

UPI licenses content directly to print outlets, online media and institutions of all types. In addition, UPI’s distribution partners provide our content to thousands of businesses, policy groups and academic institutions worldwide. Our audience consists of millions of decision-makers who depend on UPI’s insightful and analytical stories to make better business or policy decisions.

In the year of our 101st anniversary, our company strives to continue being a leading and trusted source for news, analysis and insight for readers around the world.

Millie.

just went with our may-as-well-be-cousins
to see Thoroughly Modern Milly here in Cardston, Alberta.

so.fun.

bet you didn't know I used to hop and bop around
on the stage in my former life.

did a fair bit of choreography as well.

kinda missed it tonight. . .

and by kinda I'm sure I mean, oh so totally.

Michelle, you were FAB!!

xx,

N

beyond obsessed.

Dear Kelly,

I am completely and totally beyond obsessed with this.

like, as in,
I think my level of enthusiasm is absolutely unhealthy.

xx,

Me

and then the sun comes up.

it hurts to think about what we've been through.

so. . .
often we don't.

think about it.

at all.

but today,
as we creep toward that milestone that is 6 months . . .

we hurt.

all of us do.

we lie in our tent at night and I'm glad it's dark.
so the kids won't see the tears in my eyes.

and I know they're in Richie's too.

we talk about him.

we answer their questions.

and then they fall into peaceful sleep,
because their faith is so wonderfully perfect and pure.

I try so hard to be like them.

and then in the quiet of the night,
I find myself alone with my thoughts.

about his little hands.

his perfect little belly button.

his full, pouty lips.

and those eyes.

calm.
full of love . . .
and trust.

and now you're gone.

and my arms,
well they're empty.

and my heart,
well . . .

it hurts.

and that hurt won't ever go away.

I cry silent tears of sorrow.

. . . mingled with tender gratitude.

for all I have left. . .
for all he's given us.

and then the sun comes up.

as it always does.

as it always will.

land that I love.

Raleigh, La Push, 2010.

Seattle Workshop.

photo by attendee Kristy Carlson

Envision | Seattle was wonderful.

thank you girls (+ Erin's Connor) for the PERFECT day.

I miss you already!

xx,

Me

and just don't bother asking about the hands.
we've determined that my father was apparently a quarter smurf.

KHON 2 News.

We were on the news last night in Honolulu.

You can view the clip here.

The clip is entitled
"Preventing the spread of whooping cough in Hawaii".

There was one piece of information that was
inaccurate in the report.

To set the record straight:

Gavin did NOT contract pertussis while on the mainland.

Gavin contracted pertussis in Hawaii
and became symptomatic while we were vacationing in UT.

We know this because we've done the math of the
incubation period of the disease.

For the record.
(when you're fancy and on TV you get to say stuff like that).

Mahalo KHON 2 for bringing attention
to this important issue that is facing our island home,
and the nation at large!

Parents and caregivers,
get your booster shot today!

Southern UT FYI.

A facebook friend (thanks Margie!)
informed me today that the
Southwest Utah Public Health Department
is currently offering FREE Tdap vaccine to anyone ages 19 through 64!

I hope that given the current outbreak in CA,
other community health departments across the country
will follow suit.

If you're in the area,
get more information here.

today's the day.

"today's the day.
the sun is shining. . .
the tank is clean. . ."

. . . and I am officially a MOM. :) Ha!

Nemo, you are so cool.
_________________________

but seriously, today's the day.

Envision | Seattle is T.O.D.A.Y!


I'm sold out for today in Seattle as well
as the 9th in Calgary,
but if you still want in on the magic that is Envision,
I do have a tiny tiny tiny bit of space for the UT workshop on the 13th.

The workshop in UT will be taught with bestie Jon.

We'd LOVE to have you there!

oh and ps.
I totally have butterflies.

I could do this 4 billion times.

butterflies.

no.matter.what.

wish me luck! :)