Sunday, June 21, 2009

A quick jaunt to La Jolla ....










We headed out to see Caitlin and Danny this weekend.A perfect choice for a Father's Day outing.We really wanted to see Caitlin before the baby comes in a few weeks.She looks great and feels wonderful.A bit tired but other than that she is doing fantastic.Their place is darling.Mark spent time hanging things up and the organizational freak in me,did my thing.I think the only thing now is to wait on baby girl.We are all so excited to meet this little child and seeing all the baby things set up, made it all the more real.It was a whirl wind 24 hours but so worth the 2 1/2 hour drive there.I'll be making that road trip in my sleep before long!Only thing missing this time .... Jessica.She had to take a CPR re-certification class on Saturday,work in her 8 mile run,which I did early Saturday while she was at class,as well as she had homework and bunch of other little things to get done.Her and Matt hung back,took care of the dog and when we got home tonight ... Mark's favorite,homemade Strawberry Shortcake,was waiting for us,courtesy of Jess.It was a fun little jaunt made all the sweeter having Miss Zoey along.Still so very strange and absolutely beautiful, that we can come and go with her after all these long months in the hospital.Zoey LOVES being outside.She LOVES being around people and we are so blessed that this carefree time has finally arrived for our family.Enjoy the pictures.I had to have one of Jess and Mark when we arrived home.After all,Jess was his first baby.His first little love.Now look ... a house full of little AND big loves.Happy Father's Day Mark .... could you ever have imagined what you would be getting yourself into 23 years ago ... beautiful,isn't it!

*I could have posted another dozen pictures of Zoey listening to Danny play guitar and harmonica ... she just adores music.I am really going to try and enroll her in some music therapy classes once her immune system gets stronger because she responds to music in such a magical way.Thanks Danny for Zoey's private,front row concert.She loved it and she loves you!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yipee..let me be the first to post. It's 4:53 am Monday. Sleep deprived nite. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THESE PHOTOS.

how perfect - The youngest little "love" with her daddy and the last photo with dad's eldest "love". And... strawberry shortcake to end the day! Wow dad/Mark what an awesome day you had. (well deserved, I must add)

Mark - reflecting past Father's Day when you were growing up celebrating the event out at the lake or even earlier when you were Zoey's age at Fairhaven State Fair (up on the bluff) with both of your grandfathers (and grandmothers of course), your mom and dad, me and a few years later, your baby sister Lisa.
The photo of you standing on the rocks caused that little flashback.

Caitlin looks wonderful and I love Zoey with her brother-in-law Danny playing the guitar.

Joe is getting a real grown up look and of course sweet Zake with his gentle smile. And Heather how nice to see you in a photo, since you usually take the photo. oops and you too Taylor...can never forget you
Did I mention everyone?

Long blog comment again - sorry readers in blog land!

Aunt Bluebelle

Anonymous said...

oos! Fairhaven State Park not Fair

Bluebelle

Anonymous said...

Wow, what beautiful pictures! It is so good to see everyone "out and about" and look at all the wonderful smiles on you guys. So well deserved.

Prayers and love from the east coast....Robyn from Otisco

Unknown said...

Yay! Yay! Yay! So happy you could take Zoey with you. She looks amazing!

Hope said...

She is the most adorable pregnant person ever. I wish I looked that good pregnant. LOL As always, Zoey looks so happy and her smile is contagious. Great pics!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

so cute! love ther preggers pics of caitlyn...and the beachy pics of the fam. so much fun!

Stephanie said...

I've never seen any of you happier! These pictures are so beautiful.It's so cool to see you all together and outside.
I'm so excited for you all, what a super fathers day.
Caitlin is gorgeous! Glad she is feeling well.
Love to all!

Cheri said...

I am SO GLAD that this carefree time has finally arrived for your family as well!! It looks like you all had such a fantastic day...with gorgeous weather!

Caitlin...you look so darn cute!

Kristy said...

What a beautiful family!! Have I said that before?? The happiness is so apparent in everyones faces! I am so thrilled for you Needham family!! Happy Fathers Day Mark!! You are awesome!

Lacey said...

Oh the beach, I'm so California sick right now. Caitlin is glowing. Looks like a fantastic weekend. Happy Fathers day Mark!!

Junior said...

so special that zoey can now go along on your family outings. Loved all the pictures especially the one of Zoey watching that guitar.
Happy Father's day

Shawn said...

I love this site. I have a son with Down Syndrome who is 18 years old. I love all the pictures of Zoey, it so makes me want a Zoey. If my hubby and I were not so old I would adopt another child with Down Syndrome. Ben is the absolute joy of our lives. I just wish he had all the brothers and sisters that Zoey has, although he is the light of all his cousins life. Thanks for the posts.

Mama Mason-Mann said...

It all looks so magical. You deserve a nice "normal" weekend! :)

Shelly Turpin said...

Great pictures!
So wonderful to see everyone happy and healthy

Unknown said...

Oh what priceless photos. Love the one of Mark with Zoey on his shoulders...they both look just as they should...HAPPY, healthy and mask free! :) So glad you got to go south for a bit and Caitlin is a beauty I tell ya! Glad you all got to be 'normal' this weekend, enjoy the beach, enjoy each other. Happy FATHERS DAY MARK! Love you guys!

Scrappy quilter said...

What perfect pictures. Zoey is just such a sweetie. Our M loves music too has does our grandson who has DS. I'm so happy things are going well.

Kele said...

WOW! Love all the pictures!! You guys all look so happy and beautiful!!

jaden and familia said...

praise de Lord you guys are back home doing great. our daily prayers and good vibes are going to be there for you guys, happy belated Father's day mark!! we still haven't been able to get the internet going, we have few bills to pay in the way, but hopefully soon we'll have pictures of Jaden and all of us out there for the world to see. give little Zoey lots of hugs on our behalf MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL IN JESUS NAME

Anonymous said...

Happy belated Father's Day to my brother!! It looks like you had a great day and I am so happy for all of you.All of the pictures are awesome. I will talk to you soon. Love, Lisa

heidi marie said...

just trying to catch up on some posts here. and can i just say that it is so awesome to scroll, and scroll......and scroll some more down and not see one pic of zoey in that hospital crib. i can't even imagine what it must have felt like to take a road trip with her. i can't imagine what is must feel like to have her home for good. she has been through so much but is more beautiful than ever!

Tracey McAuliffe said...

Hi Heather - What awesome pictures! and a family getaway for you all...you're long overdue. I have been checking Zoeys page daily for the past year and it's so so good to see her doing better, keep up the couragegeous battle, you're doing a fabulous job! Also, thank you Heather & Mark for always being so loving, warm & welcoming to Danny, he loves Cait and your family a lot.
See you soon, Tracey McAuliffe
PS: I can hardly sleep at night waiting for that call that our grandbaby is ready to make her entrance!

ParkerMama said...

LOVE these pics! LOVE them. What an inspiring Mama you are!