February

Goodbye, sweet Kona.

Kona started having trouble with our hard surface floors and stairs this year. We thought maybe it was arthritis since he was starting to get older. But then he started falling on his back legs. We made an appointment for the vet, and by then he was struggling to get up. After various blood tests, x-rays, a doggie neurologist and a CAT scan, we finally got a terminal diagnosis. Something (likely cancer) was attacking his spine. We took a couple days with him hopped up on painkillers and steroids to do a doggy bucket list: In N Out burgers (he loved to steal the kids' off the table...), BBQ pork, and a last trip to the beach--his favorite place.

Gender Reveal 

In happier news, we found out the sex of baby #4 this month. Since I'm over 35, I was given a blood test to screen for problems, and that test was able to use the baby's DNA to give us the sex at 13 weeks! 

Filled an envelope for the family to dump out.

This picture captures the mood...Lu was happy and somewhat matter-of-fact. "I told you it was a pattern. Boy, girl, boy, girl." Gus was trying to keep it together. He was hoping for a girl last time, but this time he had said boy. "Lu always gets what she wants [in a sibling]." Dad was happy and the toddler couldn't be bothered to even pose for the picture.

Other Stuff

Brothers.

Homeschool Valentine's Exchange Park Day. Between my three kids, you can spot about 2.5 Corkins' eyeballs in this pic.

A childhood pic of my grandma with her youngest brother. He brought it to her memorial. She passed away at the end of December after a long illness.