4-9-2008
EMAIL: joe.cicero@citcomm.com

On a scale of one to ten my trip home - an eleven! It felt really
good to reset after being away for just about two months. I left so
fast and this afforded me the opportunity to slow down and visit
some people I had missed out on. (PICS BELOW OF STUFF!)

First thing I did was get picked up at the airport by my Aunt
Michele and then headed off to a tavern for dinner with my stepdad
Norm, her fiance David, my sister in law Colleen and of course
Kelly and my boys. I hadn't seen Steven in a week so he was
crawling all over me and I couldn't even eat I took him outside
after awhile.

We then went to my brother Nick's house to hang out but he had to
be at a union meeting so it was me taking my stepdad's car to a
few stops to say "hi" to some people. It was the Joe Cicero World
Tour!

Nick (my younger brother) went out on Friday night but him and
my older brother Mike hung out with me for a few hours which was
awesome. They left and I was in bed by 11 or so. Slept great and
got up early on Saturday to run around again.

First stop...Millie's Pancacke House in Addison, IL! Favorite place
and they were like "I thought you moved". I enjoyed breakfast and
left to go to my grandmother's house in Melrose Park. She is 87
(just had a birthday) and has had some health issues lately but is
not down or anything- just bored!! See, she can't drive and I think
it is making her stir crazy. I was there about an hour and a half
with her and my Uncle Jimmy. Good visit and she slipped me a $20
when I left so that is why she is the best grandma ever! It was like
the senior citizen's version of "GoodFellas". Ahhhhh!

After my grandmother's I went to the cemetery. Both of my parents
are buried in the same one so it gave me an opportunity to visit my
dad who passed almost seven years ago already and my mom's too.

My dad's is a flat stone that was a little dirty and I cleaned it up
and stayed a bit.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed that my mom's
headstone was not there yet. It was pretty much dirt, but I will be
going back for my youngest son's christening in June so it should
be there by then. Glad my Aunt Michele was with me. I needed to
see it...that is how I felt, but something better came out of it. You'll
think I am crazy but I picked up a sparkly rock from the dirt and
put it in my pocket and have been carrying it around. I was actually
thinking of getting it made into something. It's CRAZY right?! I
know but I love having it makes me feel good. The smallest things
right?

Anyway - on Saturday it was more running around and then Mike
and Nick hung with me for dinner and the basketball games. Good
stuff. Then out to a bar and home to sick kids! Buzzkill!

Sunday went up to my stepdad's for a bit and then ran around to
my nice Kayla's swim party where more of my nieces and nephews
where and then to my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jimmy's for ONE
Coors and I was off to dinner and the airport.

There were a few things I'm missing I'm sure but gosh it was a
BUSY BUSY weekend! If I didn't see you at home this time around
I'll look for you next time.

Some pics from the weekend...

Asheligh, my niece at the pool...and Steven chugging it!!



















My niece Kayla and then there is Tammy on her back...again...ouch!!
                                                                     (click here for more)



















Best $10 investment I ever made was on these drums for Steven!
My wife, Kelly, is
walking in the Susan G.
Komen 3 Day Walk in
August back home in
Chicago.

This is something near
and dear to us as we
try to raise money to
defeat breast cancer.

She is walking for my
mother...Anne...she
passed away January
21st of this year.

If you know anyone
who has been affected
by breast cancer or
would like to help
please donate! THANK
YOU for any support
you can provide.

This is very personal
for us and our families
and affects many
woman today. At first
I felt weird about
asking for donations,
but you know what, it
is a major issue and
the more awareness
and help the better!

Joe and Kelly
Home of
Joe Cicero