First off Ill I'll say forget about the megapixel marketing war.  I believe this really only becomes important for pro photography. I wont get into why this time, for now just forget about it. The important thing I can suggest to the average person looking to get into photography for the first time who wants a camera for travel, birthday parties and the kids soccer games is to stay away from kits. Kits available to the masses usually include the body and 2 very cheap lenses. A wide angle 28-70mm ish, and a 70-200mm ish. with these you'll find yourself switching from wide for indoors to the other for out doors usually with all that switching, you will get dust in your camera I guarantee it. Also your pictures will loose quality , distortion etc. compared to a higher quality lens. Solution, buy the body and spend the money on ONE good quality lens that has a more all-around use. This is the set up I always suggest.

 

 

 Canon Rebel- I always suggest Cannon. It's what I've always used and I believe they are more progressive in their technology. I'd recommend really the least expensive body you can find.  They're all pretty decent and all have video as well. 

 

 

 Canon 28-135mm LENS - This lens has a range of 28-135mm not a hugely long zoom but adequate for most stuff. It has better optics than the cheap kit lenses and it is Image Stabilized which is hand for people starting out to take sharper pictures. 

 

 

 

This set up would cost you around $850 and would be a very solid start for most people.