The Porcaro Family: April 2010

Trip to Michigan

Jeff and I were able to make our first trip back to Michigan together in two years after he got home. It was nice to be able to see family and friends and get to have many different get togethers that involved a lot of people at once. While in Michigan, we stayed with Jeff's great grandpa Earl. It was nice to see him and spend some time with him everyday as we shared breakfast with him. We got to spend time with each set of our parents, as they all planned get togethers with family. Dad & Sandy had our first night in town and there was lots of food, fun and drinks to go around! Mom/Sue had our second day. She held a wonderful open house that was laid back and nice to catch up with family and friends. Dad & Barb took Jeff and I out to dinner and we got some extra time with them at their house after during which Dad shared some of my grandfather's war pics with us as well as his medals and ribbons from WWII. Mom/Michelle set up an open house that Dave & MeLynda (Jeff's brother and sister in law) hosted for us at their home. Dave did a GREAT job with the food...all hand made for Jeff. We even had a little down time to relax and hit some of our favorite stores that we don't have here in Florida. Overall, our trip was a lot of fun and it was so nice to see everyone. Here are some pics from our many outings.

Me and my godsons...Jake and Eric

Jeff & I out on St Patty's Day

Dinner with Momma Sue, Dad & Sandy at Marvaso's

Sandy sure is sneaky...this is what you get when you know the owners!

Jeff and his dad folding the flag that flew the whole time Jeff was deployed

The guys getting the flag down

Get together at Dave & MeLynda's...even Jeff's 5th grade teacher came!

Dave, Uncle Charlie and Jeff

Get together at Momma Sue's...Jeff and I with Eric and Jake

All of us kids...Jim, Steve, Jenny, Jeff & I

Mom and her kids

Even some of my friends showed up at Mom's...Mon, Me, Rachel, Hay, Richie and Chris

Jeff cut down all the yellow ribbons at Sue's house

Get Together at Dad & Sandy's...Dave showed up after work...he couldn't wait to see his brother!

Beer pong...it was a LATE night!

Dad, Jeff and Uncle Bruce

Sandy & I

Jeff, Great Grandpa Earl and Dad

Earl promised Jeff that they would share a beer when he came home...here they are

Welcome Home party at Danny's

On Saturday March 6th, Danny's Deep Creek Pub hosted Jeff's Welcome Home party. The owners, Danny and Debbie, have been great supporters of Jeff and I during the deployment and were more than happy to host the event for us. So our Florida "family" and friends came to see Jeff and welcome him home. We even had some family from Michigan down for the celebration. Jeff's dad, David, flew in that week to spend some time with his son and help with some things around the house and Jeff's aunt and uncle, Rene and Gray, just happened to be in town so they came too. Here are some pics from the night.

Party for my hero

This is some of our Florida Family...we met everyone at this table at Danny's and they have all become our extended family. Big thanks to Mel & Bob, Joe & Penny, Terry & Deborah, Pam & Pete and Brian & Melissa for being such great friends to us. We love you guys!

Topp & Jeff

These two ladies have kept me sane this last year...not only are they my coworkers, but they are some of my best friends here. Thank you Barb & Crissy for being my BRA!

Renate and her husband Carl came out too. Renate has been such a huge support system as well and ALWAYS found me at work when Jeff called!

Everyone raising their glasses to Jeff during "God Bless the USA"...not a dry eye in the place after that!

The wonderful cake courtesy of Danny & Debbie and Deborah & Terry

Uncle Gray and Aunt Rene were in Clearwater and wanted to come and celebrate with us. It was so great having some more family there with us!

Uncle Steve, Jeff & Aunt Lisa

Jeff & his dad

Jeff and his cousin Kelly...we have a pic of them when they were little just like this...minus the beers of course!

Shots for Jeff

Jeff & I with Danny

Danny & Jeff

Welcome Home Soldier!!!!!

Sorry that it's been so long since I have updated...the last month has been a little crazy as you can all imagine! After waiting oh so patiently, Jeff returned back to the States and our home on March 1st. He had no clue that it would be a true Hero's welcome...as we had some surprises in store for him. One of the couples that goes into Danny's has a limo service that they run and offered to take me and friends/family to go pick Jeff up at the airport. So Uncle Steve, Aunt Lisa, Tim, Dawn, Moke & their daughter, Taylor, all went in style to pick up Jeff. Frank and Jennifer made sure that we were all able to enjoy Jeff's homecoming and be together on the ride home. I cannot even put into words what I was feeling as my husband and best friend ran into my arms, safe at home at last. So, here are some pictures that our friend Dawn took for us that show it all to you.

The sign that was waiting for Jeff