ladners

Miriam wrote a little note to one of our friends and CCed me on the reply. Seems like a great summary, so I’m pasting here (with a few little edits before going public):

“The Ladners are doing very well. We have been living in South Carolina for a year now. Dave loves being an assistant professor at Clemson (http://www.clemson.edu/ces/ladnergroup) and works very hard at it. Despite all the long hours, he still manages to find time and energy to be a wonderful husband and father as well as an Elder’s Quorum president (he just can’t seem to get away from that calling!).

“My main job is Isaac, of course. I love it. I am fascinated by how he grows and learns and nothing is more fulfilling than being his mother. We go to the library, the YMCA, church meetings, visiting teaching, on errands, and to the playground together. I will cry when he no longer wants to hang out with his mom, but for now we are best buds. Isaac is good at coloring, building things, the ABC’s (he already reads several words), and loves music, chocolate, swimming, computer games (his motivation to read is strongly linked to a desire to understand what’s on the computer) and working in the yard with his parents. He still takes naps and has no interest in using the toilet. He is sweet, affectionate, and as even-tempered as a two-year-old can be. He will be three in September. I also keep busy as a counselor in the Relief Society presidency. Our ward has an interesting mix of people: those who have lived here all their lives and have ancestors who fought in the Civil War, members whose ancestors were slaves and are true church pioneers in this area, and outsiders like me. I love it. I am glad that Isaac will be exposed to a variety of people.

“We don’t update our blog very often these days (mainly because the blog is Dave’s thing and he has been too busy with work to post stuff), but you can still check it out: ladners.org. Thanks again for the email. Keep us in the loop.

“Love,
“Miriam, Dave, and Isaac”

Here’s a highlight of Isaac’s coolest Christmas present from last year. His grandpa Paul (Paka) made it for him and calls it “The Goat of Many Colors.” It’s made from eleven different kinds of wood. The video below is Christmas morning when Isaac first rode his goat. He still rides it just about every day, typically choosing some location to which he’s headed, like Dad’s office or Margo’s house or the library or one of his other favorite hangouts. Not only is it a cool toy, but it’s also one of the nicer pieces of furniture we have in our house!

The Goat, with labels.

Isaac’s latest rush is popping balloons with his teeth.

Here’s a little bath-time song starring Isaac Man. If anyone (Dad?) can tell me where this song comes from I’d appreciate it. It’s in my head from some pre-teen memory, but the lyrics aren’t exactly amenable to rediscovery via an Internet search.

Isaac likes to play with his letter puzzle and quiz his parents. It’s kind of frustrating, though, when Dad can’t get the right answer. (This is a few month old now, but still worth posting.)

You never saw a better team of Giraffe and Dragon. “It’s all recorded” right here. Enjoy.

We’ve been in South Carolina a few months now and I’d say we’re pretty much settled in. Babi and Paka came for a visit early on to help us with the house, we made it to our first Clemson football game, we had some fun at Denver Downs in the pumpkin patch etc., Anna and Miles dropped by for a splish-splashing good time, and Isaac had his two-year birthday party. At least, those (along with some other randomness) are the events captured in this batch of photos. (If we can get Grandpa Ken to send us some photos, we’ll show our weekend with the Roth boys next time.)

UPDATE! Grandpa Ken sent a few shots. Here you go:

Isaac has fallen in love with an old CD player we found again when unpacking. Babi seems to like it, too.