What's your family origin story, how did you meet and how has your family grown? What does your family’s last name mean?
Lagman is actually Filipino. I have been told it is basically "Smith" in the Philippines. Bailey and I were introduced by her younger brother, and my younger cousin who lived together in college. Our families have known each other our entire lives since our father's went to medical school together, but the two of us never actually met in person until her younger brother and my cousin introduced us in late 2015. After we met things moved fast. We got Finley in October 2016, Engaged in December 2016, married in December 2017, Bought our House here in February 2018, had our daughter Lylah April of 2019, and our daughter Harlow July of 2021.
What do you like best about the neighborhood and Madison?
We like that we have families and kids of similar ages to hang out with as well as the endless amenities in the area. There are multiple parks for the kids, hiking trails, ice age scenic trails, and though it's quiet and out of the way from the bustle of the city, nothing is a far drive. As far as Madison goes, it's just a wonderful home base with great people, great food, and a great university with great teams that we cheer for.
What does your family do together as a hobby?
We stay active and on the move. We love family adventures. We go on camping/backpacking/whitewater rafting trips in the summer, and ski trips out west in the winter. We are big sports fans as well. LJ's only television she watched before 2 years old was the Badgers, the Bucks, and the Packers. A more laid back weekend includes dinner or brunch out at my parents farm.
What family traditions does your family have?
Saturday coffee and brunch with the whole family (La Baguette, Willy St. Co-op, and Rolling pin are some of our favorites), Finley included
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off as a family?
A day off for our family likely includes cooking a big meal, an obstacle course in the living room in the morning, a workout for mom and dad during nap time, and something outside in the afternoon, maybe a walk on the ice age trail.
What was the best vacation you ever took and why? Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
So far the best vacation we have taken was our 7 day backpacking trip in the grand canyon and Utah. It was an amazing experience almost completely off the grid in which we hiked 10 miles into the canyon to Havasupai, a waterfall oasis in the middle of the grand canyon. After hiking out we travelled to Zion, Red Cliffs, Valley of Fire, Bryce Canyon, and more. What also made the trip great was that it was with Bailey’s brothers. LJ was along for the ride as well, as Bailey was 3 months pregnant.
Our next place on our Bucket list is northern California because we planned a trip to Napa/Sonoma area in early 2020, that has still not happened. Hopefully soon!
What causes are you passionate about?
We are very passionate about health and nutrition as it relates to both society and the environment. We try to do our part in sourcing sustainable food in which we know the ingredients. We are also passionate about socioeconomic equality with an emphasis on equal opportunity. Thirdly we have many family members in the healthcare profession and are passionate about public health.
What's your most memorable moment in the neighborhood?
Our most memorable moment in the neighborhood was when we had to cancel LJ's first birthday party due to COVID, and our street came outside and sang happy Birthday to her. That meant an awful lot to us.
What's the weirdest thing you do when you're alone as a family?
Sing and dance to anything from disney's frozen soundtrack to an 80s rock anthem. Air guitar solos are a regular occurrence.
What type of music is your family into?
Currently our google home plays a lot of Disney Hits, but we jam out to anything from 90s hip hop to Queen, from Coldplay to Nickelback. We pretty much listen to it all. Probably country is our least played genre.
