After staying with Tiffany and her three terriers, and then driving to Denver and staying with Katie and her cute daschund, we soon discovered that Owen's fear of dogs had quickly dissolved into a now very prominent fettish. All of his anxiety melted away within minutes of playing with them. As proof, we even took some photos of him holding the dogs with his big cheesey smile.
After we got home, I sent a text to Katie thanking her for letting us stay and telling her that Owen missed her dog, Zoe. She quickly sent a text back asking, "Do you want her?" Whoa! I wasn't expecting that reply! I have had a life-long adoration for daschunds and this might be my chance to own one! I could hardly believe it!
We all got stars in our eyes imaginging a life with a dog again - one that was completely potty-trained, one that was small and puppy-like, one that was good with kids, one that was social and friendly, one that could fit in our kitchen sink for baths, one that didn't kill chickens, one that didn't eat its own poop, one that couldn't run very fast and we could catch if it ran away, one that wouldn't eat sandwiches off our kitchen counter, one that didn't come with a socio-path breeder, and especially one that made itsy-bitsy poops! That was almost too good to be true (especially after the dogs we used to have as some of you may remember....ahhhhhh! What a nightmare!)
So we made lots of phone calls back and forth and hoped for the best, but sadly Katie wasn't quite ready to say goodbye. She decided to keep Zoe for the time being and see if her feelings changed. I could completely understand that. Zoe is a little gem.
Well as excited as I was, I was actually a little relieved. I was hoping to have a little more time to prepare for a dog again. AS much as I wanted one again, I knew what would come with it. I really wanted Owen to be potty-trained first. I wanted warmer weather. We even thought we'd have another baby before getting really serious about it. So, maybe we will see down the road. Nevertheless, I told Katie Zoe has a home with us if she ever changes her mind again.
I was kinda mean to Jordan. I whispered a Phil Collins song in his ear during the reception, "One More Night, You Gotta Wait One More Night!" I thought it was very fitting seeing as he was doing his reception before the wedding. I don't think he appreciated my clever improv though.
Katy's awesome dress imported from China. Very cool.
Jesse and Brooke - happy to finally have another Barton married...no wait, almost married.
Natalie - who didn't want her picture taken, so like any good older brother, Jesse took it anyway.
Our annual visit to The Pumpkin Patch in West Jordan. Owen kept asking mommy where the Great Pumpkin was. 
Owen and Dallin getting a wheel-barrow ride from mom.
Together in front of the tractor that Owen wanted so desperately to ride.
Owen's Halloween costume - his favorite toy in the world.
Dallin, the giraffe, being snuggled by his cousin Kayla dressed as Alice from Twilight.
Cousins Ashlynn and Hailee at Grandma's Halloween party.
Our annual drive up the canyon to see the changing leaves.
Dad and Dallin hiking, and also the last time Dallin legally fit into his baby knapsack. (I hope he can still have children.)
This spot in Little Cottonwood Canyon is not far from the place where we got engaged 8 and 1/2 years ago.
Owen loved climbing on the rocks.
Ah, Christmas time is here! Mom and Owen making cookies at Aunt Tiff and Uncle Jeff's house in Norman, Oklahoma.
Christmas Eve in our new Christmas jammies. Sadly, mom couldn't wear hers 
The best gift of all was seeing my twin for Christmas, and as an added bonus getting 12 inches of snow on Christmas Eve. A long-awaited snowfall for the Jensons after many years. Them Southerners just don't get dat stuff dat we do. 
This year we wanted to try a more urban setting. Jeana Bird, our photographer, knew some old buildings in downtown Salt Lake City that worked great. She has an eye for background textures that really add to photos. We sure loved how these turned out. 
A big group hug with mom, dad and the kids. I love everyone's individual faces. 
Our boys. Man, they actually look as if they like each other in this picture. I guess that's because there are no toys to fight over.
Kisses from my sweet Owen.
Dad and his boys.
Mom tickling Owen.
Having a little fun during our photo shoot.
Playing in the leaves at Memory Grove.
Mom and her two favorite boys in the whole world (besides Dad.)
