Since writing about moving to Kentucky, many of you have asked how it is, how I’m liking it, how we’re getting settled, etc.

Truth is…I have no idea. Because for the past four weeks, I’ve been everywhere BUT Kentucky! Let’s just call it my “Tour de Summer 2014.” Because as much as I want to unpack my freaking suitcase, lay in my own bed and eat something more substantial than Luna bars…this ride is far from over.

To recap, I flew in to Buffalo first for one of my very good friend’s bachelorette party weekends. Then, I stayed in Buffalo all week as the following weekend, we had a wedding in Saratoga. THEN, I drove back to Buffalo, hung out with my family for a few more days/sweated profusely in a house that has air conditioning but never sees temperatures below 78 (thanks Mama), flew to Jacksonville for an Izzo family vacation over the Fourth of July, then hopped on a bird BACK to Buffalo for more quality time/sweating to attend another friend’s wedding this past weekend.

We finally, FINALLY got back to Kentucky on Monday. And guess what? We’re headed to Chicago tonight for a little sightseeing and to run the Rock & Roll Half Marathon on Sunday. Oh, then next weekend we’re going back to Saratoga for our annual “the track is open!” summer trip and to celebrate our friends’ first year wedding anniversary. Then we have a wedding in August, one in October and one in November. Oh, and Matt also wants to plan our end-all, be-all Europe trip that we’ve been talking about for years. I should be more excited, but I am just freaking exhausted! And poor.

That said, it was really something special to be able to go home for an extended period and actually hang out with family and friends – not just rush through a roster of everyone you need to see, per our usual weekend trips. I loved seeing my brothers and sister-in-laws and all my nieces and nephews, both in Buffalo and in Jacksonville, spending time with my Ma doing the things that we love most (cherry picking, going to markets, walking the river, closing down the library, popping popcorn and watching Nashville, etc.), hearing old stories from Mama, watching Jeopardy with my dad, visiting old stomping grounds at Bona’s and seeing very good friends from high school and from college. Oh, and eating my weight in strawberry Timbits.

Here are some photos from the Tour de Summer 2014. More to come! :)