Team Tuohy

YUM.

Moving to Texas I knew I would find things like sweet tea, fried chicken, Tex Mex but never did I imagine these little obsessions called cake balls. They are heaven in a ball, and the more I try the better they get. Salted caramel from Whole Foods is still my winning favorite however... So about a month or two ago Starbucks released their version of the cake ball but it had one difference, it comes on a stick. Therefore leading to the name the cake pop. When the family came into town last week, I learned my sweet baby cousin was a master at cake pops, and  it became our mission to re-make these little delicious inventions and so off to Michael's we went for materials.

Materials:
1 Styrofoam board (poke the holes in before making the pops!)
2 bags of chocolate candy coating
1 box of store cake mix
1 tub of store cake frosting
 Sprinkles if wanted

Steps:
1. Bake cake as usual
2. Crumble finely the baked cake (throw our browned edges)
3. Combine crumbles with store 1/3-1/2 of a tub of store bought icing
4. Form into 1/2 inch balls
5. Place in freezer for 15 minutes
6. Melt candy chocolate in a double boiler or in a microwavable tub (we used our Tupperware as it was easy to microwave and easy to dip into later!)
7. Dip the end of the stick in the candy coating first then stick a hardend cake ball on it and dip to cover with the chocolate coating
8. Turn right side up and place in the pre poked hole in the styrophome
9. Repeat and ENJOY!

Proof:

With The Extra Decor!

HA!

Orignial

Complete!

12 years ago today I was in 6th grade running into my grandparents house with my baby sister after school to be greeted by our dad on the phone in Colorado. It is one of the very few times I remember hearing my father cry. It was a cry of sadness, devastation, pain and more than anything fear. Fear for what was occurring right around them and fear of the unknown that would come after it, for him and my mama were about to witness just how much would be lost that day.

Growing up in Colorado, Highlands Ranch, I had never been concerned with my safety nor had my parents to the best of my knowledge. On this day, however, the selfish act of two young men would change that forever. Not only for our small suburb of Denver but for cities all over our nation. It also meant that our sweet sweet family friend's lives would also be changed forever when those young men took the life of their son. I won't begin to pretend I know what that was like for them, from watching my parents cope with it though, I can only imagine it was unbearable. Often times it seems as if we are invincible, that the stuff we see on the news is devastating but would never happen to us or to our "people". However, each person on there is somebody's "person". This time it was one of our own, we are not invincible- each day is not a guarantee.

Our sweet friends are two of the strongest people I know and each year my heart goes out to them and I am reminded of the privileged in each hug and each "I love you", today is no different. I write this today as a reminder- I don't want there to ever be a day that we forget what happened and stop appreciating the gift of love and life. There is nothing we can do to change what has been done, however we can choose to never forget those beautiful kids who were tragically taken away and instead continue to push forward in love and truth in their memory. For each life mattered and deserves to be remembered; their story is not finished.

 Choose to love today, choose to wrap your arms around your family and squeeze tight. Call those who are distant and remind them of their meaning to you. Smile at the stranger in the elevator and be a light for life. Uncle Rich and Aunt Sue, I love you dearly and you are a testament to strength, courage and love- I know my parents agree- we are blessed to be a part of your lives. Danny, you will never be forgotten. Columbine, we love you.

For Christmas this year we dropped our sweet little Lincoln off at the Marsh's and headed across the pond to England for some holiday cheer Tuohy style! We had such a wonderful trip spending quality time with Mike's family and enjoying the country we spent our first year as a married couple in! Nana greeted us with a cowgirl's hat, Sammi and I indulged in our favorite chips (chrips) over girl time and spark slobbered Michael with his love all while we were spoiled rotten by the wonderful parents God blessed us with! It is always fun how it seems like no time has passed since we were all together, and yet so much has! It was such a treat to get to be involved in all of their family traditions and be a part of the Tuohy family that much more! From santa bags to Pondom hugs and Christmas mass, I now can understand when Michael talks about his past holiday's and smile because I got to be a part of one... Although, I am sure they did not include sammi hurting Lady with a Range Rover!!!

After the actual holiday had passed we got to spend time trotting around the country and seeing the sites! We headed off to Knutsford for a traditional pub meal, yum! Followed by taking a trip into the Plough to pester Miss Samantha at work- then wondered around Wilmslow for a cheesy pasty and a trip into the local shops! Finally ending it all off with a fantastic meal with Mike's family and cousin Stephen to wrap up a wonderful (but fast!) trip!

It really was such a blessing we got to be there and spend time with the family and stuff our faces with our favorite English foods! It reminded us of such a special time in our lives and allowed us to share in something together with the Tuohy's we had not been able to yet as a couple. The trip was short but the memories shall last a long time! Thank you also to the Marsh's who made it all possible and dealt in a joyful manner with all my "worried parent" lists, game plans and late night calls! I know him and Gracie had a ball- you are troopers!

Below are some of the best moments from our trip!

Christmas Morning at Nana's!

Christmas morning and Santa Bags!

Oh Nana!

Tuohy's

Right at Home =)

Happy to be Home!

Sparky Lovin'!

Thank's Granny!

Michael and I were so excited to hear that my younger sister Megan would be joinging us for Thanksgiving this year! We were thrilled to show her our new home, Dallas, and get to spend some quality siblings time together! We got to show her where we live, around the city and spent plenty of time snuggled up on the couch chatting! Our favorite part of having her here was getting to celebrate a day of thanks with such an important person to us! We are so thankful for Meg and that she decided to spend this time with us! We made one heck of a meal, and of course for her - had a great hunny baked ham! On Meg's last day we decided we should go get our pictures for this year's Christmas card taken while we had an extra set of hands. Never did I think it would be so sunny and dry in a Christmas photo! The vest was thrown in for a good for prop however! Take a look below at the outcome and enjoy the "bloopers"!

Merry Christmas <3 Team Tuohy

Sister Time =)

Lincoln's Face!!!