Happy Birthday, Marissa!

I can't deny it any longer - Marissa is growing up. There was quite a bit of anticipation on Marissa's part for her birthday to come. This year she understood quite a bit more about birthdays and was excited to turn three. When anyone asked her what she wanted for her birthday she would say "a horn" and then she'd say "and a car" - sure we'll just throw that in there. Ryan found a dollar spot at Walmart with a horn and some little toy cars and she was thrilled to get her horn and cars along with her other presents.

This year, Ryan insisted on a party for her with some friends. She had been into princesses lately so she had a princess party at the park complete with princess cake and a castle pinata. Here are some of our favorite pictures from her birthday!



Marissa with her princess cake! I told her I was sad she was going to turn three, that she is getting too big. She said, "But I will share my cake with you, Mommy. Will that make you happy?"


Marissa was so excited to have Grandma Johnson here for her birthday!


Marissa with her castle pinata - Ryan spent the day before perfecting her homemade pinata and had to convince Marissa that it was going to be cool to smash her pretty castle.


Marissa blowing out her candle - it was windy so Ryan and Mike were trying to keep the candle lit long enough for her to blow it out, which is why you can't actually see her big "3" candle.


Marissa winding up for the first big hit!


Unfortunately, our video camera ran out of tape before this point, but this is when Ryan had to help break the pinata. Marissa literally looked like a little rag doll is his arms as he was trying to swing hard enough to break open the pinata.


Here is Marissa with most of her presents - it was at this point we realized yet again how spoiled she must be! Notice the princess tent, with princess backpack, and princess water bottle.


Here is Marissa with her barbie castle dollhouse. Grandma Johnson thinks she is pretty funny as she tries to see if she can make her presents bigger every year (last year she gave Marissa a kitchen, which she loves along with her dollhouse)!