Ushering in 2026

Sault Ste. Marie is one of our happy places, and we have discovered that we're still happy to be here in the winter! It all started when Nellie sent us a photo of the seasonal coffees at Superior Cafe, which sparked an idea that we could come up over break, which got real about a week ago when we jumped in and decided to go for it. What we didn't know was that there would be a blizzard the day before we came up and a winter storm warning lasting our entire trip. I'm not sure I've ever seen so much snow! We are loving it.

On the agenda: Superior Cafe (of course) for coffee and homework/reading/work, snowshoeing, dinner out at Cozy Corners, hunting, games, puzzles, resting, playing in the snow, watching freighters, seeing our UP family. So far, so good!

Our year held some big momentous events (Nellie graduated and started college! We took some family trips that were both familiar and epic. We struggled through some big losses. We started to heal. We were reminded of what's important.) and a collection of a bazillion mundane ones. I'm delighted to celebrate it and welcome the next in this place with these people!

Our New Year celebration included most of the usual things - Spoons, appetizers, fireworks and sparklers and trying to stay up until midnight. But new this year were Fishbowl (thanks Mustaphas!), a Wernet-trivia Jeopardy game (thanks Nellie!), Pin the Anchor on the Crane (my own design ☺) and the absolute craziest and best part - attending the "Anchor Drop" in downtown Sault Ste. Marie! It was very cold and required bundling up at 11:30 for the short drive downtown, but was totally worth it.

Family photo with the esteemed anchor

It's hard to see in this daytime photo, but Annie was the clear winner.

Jeopardy! Eddie and I dominated the family trivia.

Just a pretty afternoon photo of the river

Kevin and Schuyler did some hunting...

...while we were busy in the coffee shop

"Quick, gimme those, I think I saw an eagle in Canada!" - Nellie

Paul R. Tregurtha - we had to stay up until 1am after we got here to see it!

We arrived very late.

It wouldn't be a Wernet family New Year celebration without me forcing family reflection on the year and goals for the next. I'm sure they secretly love it.

I'll start! Though a lot of this year just kind of felt like a grind, there were SO MANY wonderful experiences. Our Florida trip, backpacking, and trips up north were just delightful times together and we had lots of mini-adventures. A couple of highlights for me were visiting Sugar Island for the first time and getting lost in the woods on South Manitou Island and pressing on in the direction we thought we should go. It was intense (as it should be when you're camping, haha) and there was infinite but the moment we came out of the woods and landed on the trail was a happy relief! Another highlight was Nellie's open house. Those are some stressful memories, too, but I was overwhelmed by people showing up on a million-degree day celebrate with us, and a lot of people helped out even thought I didn't think I needed it and I really really did.☺ I'm committing to more prayer and gratitude and helping our family have more intentional time together.

DJ's favorite memories were hanging out with friends. He wants to get a better vertical.

Nellie's highlights were the Florida trip and backpacking, particularly the long hike out to the dunes. Her goals for 2026 are to read the whole Bible, run a 5K, be willing to confront issues without procrastinating, and be a peacemaker. 

Eddie: Mom acting as the Grinch during Fishbowl. But also, the day at Busch Gardens over spring break. His commitment for next year is to end world hunger!

Annie's favorite memories were the Florida trip, trying out track for the first time and going to states, playing Annie in Annie, turning 16 and being able to drive, and going to Aunt Pam's lake this summer. She doesn't really "do" New Year's resolutions but she wants to persevere in the right things and say "no" to things when needed.

Mary's favorites for 2025 are every trip we went on and our New Year's Eve party! She wants to commit to reading all the books she has stacked up to read.

Kevin has lots of showstopper memories: Florida trip, 4th of July trip to the U.P., staying in Grand Rapids with Nellie, the golf weekend with John and Alex, great hunting trips (including a turkey and two deer!), getting a puppy, when he volunteered Annie to sing the national anthem spontaneously, and watching how much the kids have grown in athletics and leadership. His goals are intentional, relentless, obnoxious positivity and to be manlier. 

DJ turns 14!

Happy birthday, DJ! This has been a year full of growth (literally - it seems like he grows an inch a week) and some shifting interests and priorities. We noticed it when we went to Florida - how all of a sudden his relationship with his older sisters is deepening and and they seem to get each other - though he's still the best video game and sports buddy for Eddie and Mary.

All in all, he's had a great year. DJ still loves all things sports and plays soccer, basketball, and baseball. He's still great with stats and can answer just about every question I have. He has gotten more interested in fishing and took a couple of hunting trips with Kevin this fall. This year he's enjoying staying late after school until practice so he can hang out with his friends. Somewhat surprisingly, he's also picked up a love for music and can usually be found at home practicing guitar. He even led some sisters and cousins in performing a Noah Kahan song at our annual Wacyk Christmas Musical Revue!

On his birthday this year, we were still celebrating Christmas so he got to wake up with all his cousins at their annual sleepover then head to Alex and Sarah's to celebrate with John. But he got to have two cakes, three rounds of "Happy Birthday," and watch a lot of football, so all in all I assume it was a good day. I'm definitely still learning how to parent a teenage boy, but it's really fun and I just can't get enough of his deep thinking and sense of humor. He's growing in leadership and responsibility and learning new things every day. The next year will be a full one - starting high school, driver's training, etc. - but I anticipate a good one. 

Baseball tournament champions

DJ's first broken finger

Didn't stop him from playing soccer, but don't tell his doctor

As ONE of the tallest children (as Annie pointed out), this is a good job for DJ

Learning how to change guitar strings with Papa John

How would you describe yourself  as this point in your life in three words (or phrases)?

Athletic, clever, tall.

What's an area of your life that you think you've grown in most this year?

Discipline, not slacking in working out. I don't chicken out.

If you had a full day to do whatever you want...what would you do?

Go to a Tigers or Lions game, eat Panda Express, stay at a hotel or someplace with a pool, and go to an amusement part with roller coasters.

If we had a long weekend and you got to plan a trip for us, where would we go and what would we do?

Maybe Petoskey during March Madness so we can just hang out watching basketball. Or if it's the summer we can go swimming and tubing.

What careers are you considering?

Like a sports broadcaster, umpire or referee, or a doctor or dentist. Or a lawyer.

What’s your favorite song or type of music?   

I don't really have a favorite song, but I like two kinds of music primarily. Mumford and Sons and Noah Kahan is one type and then I like Forrest Frank and Josiah Queen.

What's your favorite food?

Chicken pot pie, deviled eggs, Panda Express, and Taco Bell.

Current favorite movie or TV show?

The Office and sports talk shows like SportsCenter.

Current book(s) you're reading?

Gone by Michael Grant. It's the book Grandpa John got me for Christmas.

What was the best part of your birthday?

Probably spending the night at Grandma's and then going to our cousins' house. My favorite present was Madden?

Mary, age 9

 Happy birthday, Mary! After last year's bummer of a birthday (celebrating with cousins, but then spending most of the day at Pam's preparing for her funeral 😢), we were determined to give her the best day ever! She made everyone wake up early on Labor Day so she could open presents, then she worked on Legos until a couple of her friends came over to play! It was a wild 9-year-old fun time playing and harassing Eddie, which I don't think he minded too much. We had pesto pasta for lunch, then took her friends home and Nellie back to school. The bowling alley was closed for the holiday, so we got Subway and went mini-golfing before coming back for cake and ice cream. It was a chill but very fun day!

Mary has grown up a lot this year, and it's a blessing to witness her development as a person and in her relationships. She takes on life with a ferocity that's hard to explain if you don't know her. This year, she tried out basketball and musical theater, worked hard at softball and had an undefeated rec league season :), battled and defeated Lyme disease, continued piano lessons, and tried out for her first real musical. She and Eddie will be in Frozen Jr. this fall - the show that started it all for Annie and Nellie many years ago!

It's hard to be the last child standing as all the siblings become adults, teens, and tweens, but Mary certainly holds her own and makes her presence known. We love her endlessly and wish her the happiest year.

What was your favorite memory from the last year?
Probably everything from the whole Florida trip. But there's so many other things, like softball was my favorite summer activity, and going out to "the bowl" to play and sled with Eddie and DJ was my favorite winter memory.

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?
Over the last year, God's been helping me work hard, have fun, and be successful in the things that I'm doing. Like softball and getting into Frozen Jr.

How do you feel about being nine?  
Not different. But I feel like I'll be able to have new opportunities and new things to learn and do.

Now looking ahead, what are you most looking forward to in the next year?
Frozen Jr. obviously, like the actual performance, more family times when we're all together like Christmas, birthdays and just doing fun things together as a family.

What new things or skills are you learning?
Gardening, lots of new dance moves and things for the musical, math - I've been practicing a lot at home. 

Who are your best friends?

Hannah and Emma, Julianna and Abigail. Everybody in my grade are my good friends. I'd be happy to hang out with any of them.

What kinds of things are you good at?

Softball, piano, and math.

What careers are you considering?
Astrogeologist, or any kind of astronomer.

Why are you interested in those things?
I love thinking and learning about space. I really love math and science, and those are two things you'd need to be able to do.

What’s your favorite song?   
Well right now I'm caught up in the Broadway Frozen music, but I love the Greatest Showman, especially Rewrite the Stars and The Other Side.

What's your favorite food?
Pesto pasta [crowd favorite]. If I had to make it a meal, with a side of cantaloupe and maybe some good apple juice.

Favorite movie?   
The Greatest Showman, but I really like a lot of movies. I like the Zombies movies, all four.

Favorite book?   

I like the whole Vanderbeekers series and the whole Penderwicks series, but my favorites are the third Vanderbeekers and the fourth Penderwicks.

Favorite color?   
Blue, but like the color of the sky on a good sunny day.

Favorite place to be?

Sault Ste. Marie, grandma's condo, or home.

What are your favorite things to do?
Play piano; play softball; math; right now, work on my Frozen Jr. script; play games as a family; do crafts.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you as a nine-year-old?   

Guys, this is an important announcement: My favorite planet still remains as Mercury.

Nellie's last birthday interview

It's obvious that my first baby child would also be my first adult child, but it still seems strange somehow. Nellie is a bit of a paradox of her own, though. Fiercely independent but prefers to be around people. Marches to the beat of her own drum (forever) but led the band as drum major. Is registered to take both organic chemistry and music theory in her first semester at MSU. 

An 18th birthday is a little bittersweet as we look toward big changes in our everyday family life next year! Nellie is headed to MSU to study plant biology and flute performance. She'll live on campus, so the discussion of who gets their own room(s) is on and heated. Looking at the past year, it has been FULL of activity and excitement. She was head drum major in the marching band and took three AP classes. She spent many many hours applying to colleges and writing essays and scholarship applications. She practiced flute endlessly to prepare for music school auditions, and made it into the All-State Band. She auditioned, and then she waited. She saw the fruits of her labor. We celebrated. Through all of it, we watched Nellie's friendships grow and her values and beliefs deepen and most of all, we enjoyed our time with her. She's learned a lot, and like all of us, has a lot to learn. But - she is headed out into the world, and she is ready!

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

The old days

This is it! Your last interview. I really only have a couple of questions. First, you're going to meet so many new people who don't know your family or your childhood. So - what's your elevator speech? What was it like to grow up as a Wernet?

Growing up in a big family is a blessing and curse in many ways, especially being the oldest child. From a young age I had a lot of responsibility. I've been treated like an adult for a long time so turning 18 doesn't feel that different in that respect! Our family is really weird and silly and goofy. But underlying that is a lot of love. As annoying as you and Dad can get sometimes - well let's just say in some ways it's a Christian, traditional household, but we're also a random, out-of-pocket, funny family in some ways. Like one day you won't let me go to the mall because I haven't spent enough time at home, then then next I'm telling a friend about something that happened and they're like, "I would never get away with that at my house!"

Having a lot of younger siblings is really nice because there's no limit to the possibilities on what you can do. You can max out your characters on Mario Kart or play 2v2 basketball. If you want to do something - take a walk after dinner, go to the library at the last minute - someone will want to go with you. It was really nice growing up watching the rest of my siblings grow up. Lately, for example, DJ seems really grown up and he, Annie, and I can hang out as friends. Watching them grow and change and mature has been really interesting. Annie is probably my best friend, ever, which is really cool.

I will say, there have been a lot of rules and restrictions on ME that I'll bet the other kids aren't going to have. 😏 And it was interesting being the only kid at Grand Ledge while the others were at LCS. I think my experience in our family will be unique.

So if I had to sum up our family, the title of your blog is pretty apt. We say we're not that crazy, but kind of...we are. And that's a beautiful thing.

What advice do you have for Annie, DJ, Eddie, and Mary as you "move on?"

Don't forget your favorite sister! To the oldest three, don't let Mary get away with too much. To Annie, you're the oldest now, and that comes with responsibility. I think you'll have an easier go of it, though. Going into junior and senior year, try not to stress out too much because there are a lot of things that seem really big that aren't that important. You're passionate about and talented in lots of things, and that can be hard because you're trying to divide your time. Take deep breaths, find balance. I'm only a call away if you ever need me! 

To DJ, I would say take it easy, be chill. I think we're similar in the sense that we feel a strong sense of responsibility for what the younger siblings do, and that can mean bossiness and control issues. It's all going to be okay. You are the one thing in life you can control! And that's okay. You have a great mind. You're really smart, so that's going to take you far so don't get hit in the head with a baseball and you should be fine.

To Eddie, don't let yourself be overlooked! Your siblings might shine brightly and you're stuck in the middle, which can be tough, but you're the funniest person I know and weird and goofy. You offer something to the world no one else does. Speak up, feel your feelings. You're capable of just as much as the rest of us even with your big, bold siblings.

To Mary, you are a fiery person. Don't let that fire burn out but don't let it turn into a wildfire. Stay sassy, stay bold, stay bright. That will take you far in life! But know your limits and when to reign it in. You've always been our "sweet and spicy" girl. Be content, find joy. Don't let yourself get spoiled! I love how excited you are about nature and being outdoors, hunting and fishing, and music! Stay wild! 

All of you - be grateful, live in the moment. Not everyone gets the family experience we do and a lot of people are worse off. Be present and don't take it for granted. It's going to be over before you know it!

Thinking back on the last 18 years, what are some core experiences that you recognize as being formational for you in getting to this point?

The most obvious one for me is breaking my leg, and then the covid era but those are wrapped up and intertwined in my mind. It was so awful in the moment, but it shaped me the most. It taught me about pain, relying on others, asking for help, needing to lean on people. All experiences, even the painful ones, are inherently beneficial. Our lives are a culmination of everything we've experienced on earth. Everything I've done, everyone I've met, everything that's happened, shaped me into the person I am now. So I don't think I would really change anything.

Freshman year band camp really cemented a lot of the most important friendships I have and set me up for high school - all the people I would be friends with and my love for music.

Being in a romantic relationship taught me a lot about love and life and balance. I learned a lot about relationships.

Experiencing the death of a close family member for the first time with Aunt Pam passing away. 

Transferring to Grand Ledge from LCS was really hard in the beginning. I had a lot of anxiety, middle school was really tough. But in the end, I'm so glad I stayed. It was a blessing in disguise. People say God doesn't give you the path you want, he gives you the path that's right. I see that as God working in my life.

Many of these things weren't "good," they were hard, but they were right. I learned a lot about life. I view them as lessons, now.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years? What do you hope to be doing? What kind of person do you hope to be?

Well, 10 years...I'll be 28. I hope I'm married, or close to married. In a healthy relationship. But - I don't know, maybe no kids yet! I hope to be out of college and grad school. I hope to have a meaningful job, working in something that's good and helpful for others and the environment. Something impactful. I hope to still be close with all you guys and with my friends. I want to still talk to my high school friends.

I want to be the kind of person who is passionate and determined. [I'm not worried about her not being that.] Who strives to do good and be good in my everyday life. I hope to still be the cool older sister, someone to look up to. [It's already wild to me how much Nellie's decisions, like being in band or trying out for that first musical, have influenced the other kids' interests.]

I think that's it. Is there a final question? [Do you want there to be? Any last words?]

I'm grateful to everything who's read all these birthday interviews! Who have watched me grow up. All the grandparents and aunts and uncles and family friends who have supported our family and me. Thanks for sticking it out, for having faith in me and seeing good when I can't see it myself. I love all of you!

We love you, Nellie.

Annie, age 16

Annie's sixteen! When Nellie turned sixteen I could hardly believe it, it just seemed so old. For Annie, it's like, "finally!" She passed her driving test the day before her birthday and we couldn't be happier to have another driver in the house. Though all of a sudden, three cars somehow feels like too few with working teenagers. Sixteen suits Annie just fine. She'll get a little independence and she can finally listen to whatever she wants in the car without DJ and Eddie complaining (or singing different music loudly in the backseat. It's getting old for all of us.) She's a busy girl, and is going to be an upper classman, so we're looking forward to everything that's to come this year.

It's been a year of ups and downs for all of us, but there were lots of highlights! I'm curious to hear her favorite memories, but mine include: Another awesome cross country season, with great friends, PRs, and a trip to states; learning she loves studying literature with Mrs. Chadwick in American Lit; the regional choir weekend at WMU; the Taylor Swift concert in Indianapolis!; attending the Worship Symposium at Calvin; a strong basketball season; playing Annie in Annie; getting her first job; and trying out track this spring!

Annie is just as delightful as ever - a good friend, sister, and daughter, and endlessly encouraging and helpful. We're lucky she's ours and are happy to celebrate her!

Early morning birthday run

Maiden voyage to get milk at QD!

Pepper spray for solo trail runs

Thanks Cousin Connie for the awesome hot air balloon cake! 💜

What is a favorite memory from the last year?

Running cross country states AND watching Taylor Swift perform in the same 12 hours!

What is one way God's been working in your life?

I feel like I've been able to love Him more, and early on in my relationship with God, when I was first becoming a Christian, I wasn't really sure what that meant. I'm learning to love Him more. This has very much been a year of loss, but that's helped me learn what prioritize and let go of some things.

How do you feel about being sixteen?

I definitely thought that 16-year-olds were so mature and old, but I feel like I'm still little! And I can drive, which I feel good about. I like driving myself around a lot more than (some) others driving me. [I think that might be a dig on a big sister.]

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?

Driving myself around, another cross country season, Gettysburg [the spring junior trip], AP US History, coming back to the U.P., hanging out with family and friends. If that can even happen in junior year.

What is one goal you have for next year?

Find more clarity when it comes to college and career paths. And just survive - get through the school year while prioritizing my relationships with God and others. And be willing to say "no" to things.

Who would you say are your best friends?

Lydia, Makenna, Adrienne, Robynne, Hudson

What would you say are some of your strengths?

I'm determined and hard working. I have mental toughness. I hope people think I'm nice and Christ-centered.

What was your biggest accomplishment this year?

Probably being in the musical or qualifying for states individually for cross country and track, even though I only did track for half a season because of cross country.

What careers are you considering?

Dear me. Right now, nothing is jumping out to me as much as in the past. But for a long time I've considered something law related. I've considered pursuing something medical for awhile but now I'm leaning away from that.

What’s your favorite song or type of music?   

Usually - well, it's almost always something Taylor Swift. But it changes regularly! Recently, as in the last two weeks, it's been Innocent by TS and Smoke Slow by Joshua Bassett.

What's your favorite food?

Pesto pasta, and pretty much anything chocolatey. And toast from Dairy Queen.

Current favorite movie or TV show?

Probably Gilmore Girls and I don't watch a lot of movies!

Current book(s) you're reading?

Well I just finished Firekeeper's Daughter for the eighth time, and now for my in-between books I'm reading the To All the Boys I've Loved Before series.

Favorite color? 

Purple  

Favorite place to be?

Probably Gull Lake, Sault Ste. Marie, Petoskey.

What are your favorite things to do? 

Read, be with my friends, run, bake, listen to and play music, go swimming.

What was a favorite present?

Oh, for my birthday? I have to run an inventory...maybe that squishy duck from the Meyers.

If you could describe your year in one line from a Taylor Swift song, what would it be?

I've never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you? 

I think that's it for now!