Here is the stocking that Ashley and Grandma made especially for Daniel.
Daniel and Charley checking out the presents Santa Claus left for them.
Daniel with Uncle Jeff and Auntie Val.
Daniel and his Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas morning.
Daniel loves spending time with his Tai Tai.
Daniel had a wonderful first Christmas! In the morning we opened presents as a family before heading to Grandma and Grandpa's for more presents. Then Brian fit in his annual Christmas day surf while Ashley and Daniel rested up at home (it was too chilly at the beach to join him!) That night we returned to the Kemmerer's for a huge, delicious dinner and then watched old embarrassing home movies from past Christmases. It was our first Christmas with our two new family members- Daniel and Jeff! It is so much fun to watch our family grow (and the boys now outnumber the girls!) Here we are in front of Ashley's parents' tree before dinner. Daniel received so many presents and was excited to play with all of them.
On Christmas Eve we went to the candlelight service at church with Auntie Val and Uncle Jeff. Daniel was happy to see his friends Caleb and Natalie at the service. Afterwards, we went to Granny and Gramps for a delicious pasta dinner. Daniel got to open presents and spend time with his grandparents and great-grandparents. When we got home, Daddy read Daniel "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before everyone got in their new Christmas Pajamas and went to sleep.
Last week Daniel started scooting across the room in an army-crawl style! Now he is after EVERYTHING including poor Charley's tail (which he loves to yank) and the Christmas tree (where he attempts to pull off the tree skirt)! It's a whole new ballgame with Daniel moving so quickly. Daniel has also been so amped about his new efficient means of traveling that he has decided he doesn't want to go to sleep and instead he wiggles around and babbles to us. Meanwhile, Ashley is in need of a nap!
(Don't worry, the tree isn't as crooked as it looks here, it's leaning against something!)
Today we went out into the Goleta countryside to the rustic Home Depot parking lot where you can get a beautiful tree for the bargain price of $25.00. Our easy to please nature allowed us to fall in love with the first tree we encountered. Sadly, there are no longer any places to cut your own fresh tree left in Goleta. While Daniel's first experience getting a Christmas tree may not be quite the Noel Tree Farm or Dos Pueblos Ranch memories of our childhoods, he seemed to be having fun. Touching the pines and riding in the truck with Mama and Daddy while listening to Christmas carols on K-LITE makes for one very happy baby.
Daniel made an appearance with Santa Claus (a.k.a. Grandpa) at Grandpa's Christmas party at UCSB. He had a great time playing "mini-me" to the old jolly St. Nick!
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us! Daniel tried Thanksgiving yams for the first time over the holiday. He also had fun at two Thanksgiving dinners at both sets of grandparents' houses and was introduced to lots of Brian and Ashley's friends.
Daniel had his first taste of solid food today- poi from Hawaii! Ashley's first real food as a baby was poi so we decided to try it with Daniel too. Just like his mommy, he absolutely loved it and kept wanting more. He also wanted to hold the spoon all by himself. We've been putting Daniel in his highchair while we eat dinner and he truly enjoys being involved with everyone else. Thanks for the great highchair, Granny and Gramps!
On Wednesday Daniel celebrated his 1/2 year old (a.k.a. 6 months) birthday! It is hard to believe that it has already been six months since he was born. We celebrated with a mini brownie topped with a candle cut in half! Daniel thought the brownie was delicious and had seconds. Just kidding! (We ate the brownie on his behalf.) Daniel hasn't started to eat solids yet, stay tuned for that adventure next week.
Last weekend Daniel, Ashley and Grandma drove to San Francisco to visit Auntie Val and Uncle Jeff. Daniel hadn't seen them since their wedding and he missed them so much. During our visit we ate a delicious meal at Tomaso's, walked to the marina and piers, visited the Farmer's Market, watched the football games and Daniel even had happy hour at his first bar! Daniel loved the constant attention from Auntie Val and Grandma and special man to man bonding with his Uncle Jeff.
Daniel had a very happy first halloween. He even tried some trick-or-treating (but no candy for our sweet-toothed shark yet!)
Daniel adores his new chair from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves being able to sit up like everyone else and soak in his surroundings!
Our PEP group (mommy and baby playgroup) met at Lane Farms yesterday. The day was a hot scorcher so we didn't end up putting the babies in their costumes for any pictures.
Today Daniel and Ashley visited Brian at his work and then went for a walk on the beach. Daniel wore his "Li'l Ranger" onesie that the admin ladies made him. Doesn't Daniel look like a mini-Brian?
Today we took Daniel swimming in a pool for the first time at the Cathedral Oaks Club. Before hitting the pool Grandma showed him off to some of her friends. Then Daniel slipped on his swim diaper and got right in the pool like a natural. He absolutely loved it and kept kicking his legs. He spent about 20 minutes enjoying the water. Daniel met some more of Grandma's friends and charmed them with his shy smile before heading home. What a big day!
Here are the before and after pictures of Daniel's very first haircut. Although Brian was proud of the mini-mullet Daniel was growing, Ashley insisted that he stop the madness! We couldn't fathom paying money for someone to cut his hair, so Brian did it himself. (We don't have any photos of the haircut in process since it took both of us to get the job done!) Oh, and Ashley let Brian leave it long in front, so we guess Daniel has a reverse mini-mullet!
Here is Daniel with his best buddies Caleb and Asher. They have known each other since they were still in the womb and Ashley and the other mommies took pre-natal exercise classes together at the YMCA. Daniel loves hanging out with his friends!
Daniel has loved having his Auntie Melissa home for the summer. He has particularly enjoyed their Sunday dates at the Farmer's Market. But alas, it is September and time for Melissa to return to UC Davis. Auntie Melissa stopped by the house for a goodbye snuggle! Daniel already misses her!
Here is one last picture of Brian, Daniel and our boat. Brian sold the boat before Daniel got to go for a ride in it. Brian bought a bigger boat so now there will be enough room for the whole family!
We swear we didn't put Daniel in this pose! He just decided to put his arms behind his head in total relaxation and pose for the camera!
