Beetle: It's what's for dinner.

No, not really. Actually it was a roach and we all partook together, being the sharing family that we are. Ok, ok...not a living, crawling, eeeeeeeeeeewy roach but a chocolaty gooey roach. It was Karis' 3rd birthday yesterday so her loving mother made her a roach cake. Between her fascination with the nasty insects and my twisted sense of humor (and lack of skill when it comes to baking cakes) I was left without any other good options! Now, if you are impressed (and I know you are) that I accomplished such a task just wait 'til you see this baby! Not only did I make a cake resembling a roach but I made a cake that in reality resembles a roach that has been stepped on a time or two! Can anybody else out there beat that? I didn't think so. Take a look at this gem... (Sidenote: do not, I repeat do NOT zoom in on this one!)

Isn't she a beauty? And I know several of you are dying to ask the question "did Karis even know what it was?" and I am proud to tell you that she did! Without any help or hints from us. But I must confess that the reason she knew had more to do with her interest in the 6-legged creature than it did my cake making skills. Yes, I will admit that much.

Can't you just feel the excitement?

Pure pleasure.

Those were actually pre-birthday party pictures. We began celebrating by having a mac-n-cheese supper. This was the first answer I received when I asked Karis what she wanted me to make. Her second answer was "eggs", her third answer was "rice and beans" and her fourth answer was "cake". I chose to go with the first answer since it was easy to make and the most appealing of the 4.

It was fun to have Mike, Kelli and baby Emily with us to celebrate! Mike and Kelli were with us for Karis' 1st birthday too!

Now onto the cake (she preferred eating the legs which were miniature chocolate bars)...

We had to get a picture (or 2 or 3 or 6) of the bib twins...

Yes, they love eachother.

Next came presents! Finally my child enjoys the actual present more than the wrapping paper! We have 21 pictures of opening presents but I'll spare you and only put one here.

Those were some Polly Pocket dolls that my mom sent her (and that she LOVES!) She calls them her Wolly Pocket toys.

She received two backpacks last night and they are both so cute! The first is one from her Aunt Cristy...

and the 2nd from Aunt Kimbosha (who picked it up for her in Guatamaula!)...

I love her backpacks! She enjoyed everything she was given. Well, she showed no excitement over the clothes 'til she got to wear her new ducky pj's and then play dress-up with her new play dress (each one given by a different grandma).

And since we all happened to be semi-dressed up (that's Jonathan's dressy t-shirt) we took a few family pictures...

My little girl isn't so little anymore (*snif snif*).

But she still lets me give her 34+ kisses per day! Hope that lasts a few more years :-)

Party over.