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. 

Spring endings and beginnings and everything in between

Spring has been full with all the usual things, plus all the senior year events (so many events) and final days with some beloved colleagues heading on to the next things. We were at LCS most weekends between the spring fundraiser, banquet, Annie in Annie as Annie (!), Mrs. Hofman's reception, graduation, etc. etc. Throw in baseball, a first attempt at track season, musical theater workshop for Eddie and Mary, last concerts and recitals, 5th-grade graduation, prom, and hosting the Annie cast party, and we were never bored.

We did get away up north for Memorial Day for a little recovery time in the woods and fields and Lake Michigan. It was nice to be all together for a few days in the middle of everything else that was going on!

Every day this spring felt like it carried so much weight, watching the clock tick down toward a very different-looking life at work and home, and feeling so much gratitude for everything that was and is. There were new beginnings as kids tried new things and made big decisions (go green!). The beginnings came right along with the endings. We had fun, and worked hard, and tried to live fully in each moment. It feels a little like we're headed into the unknown, but we've got faith, and each other, and we're ready for the next crazy season! I think.

It really happened!

Eddie was one of the "graduation speakers"

State finals!

Annie with a favorite friend and mentor

You cannot keep this girl out of the water

Trying to stay warmish in winter coats on the pier

Senior concerto

Nellie with her long-time lesson instructor

Mary had to spend a half-day with me when she got sick at school, poor thing! It turned out to be fifths disease after having a fever for a week.

Last SYWS concert

One of the best parts of musical season!

The best surprise!

Easter with family

Mary's first taste of musical theater!

Readers

 We were eating out recently and the kids brought their books. They piled them up in the middle of the table and I just loved it.

Winter Wernets 2025

Key words: Sickness (more here), music (more here), reading, basketball, family, Arizona, homecoming, fireplace sitting

When I think "winter" I usually mean that period from when school starts up again to spring break. It's a season that blends hard work at school with a spirit of hibernation. We had fun and made it through bouts of sickness, but let's face it - winter was mostly basketball with practices and Annie's games during the week and Eddie, Mary, and DJ's games on Saturdays. But they all had great seasons, worked hard, and got better! DJ's time even took 1st in the tournament! That has been a fun group of boys to watch play together.

I had the opportunity to spend a few days at the Franciscan Renewal Center near Phoenix as part of the Van Lunen Ascending Leaders program. There was a lot of learning, but also mountain hikes, new friendships with Christian school leaders, and sunshine. I'd love to go back to Arizona!

There was more to grieve when my young cousin passed away suddenly, but that also meant time with family, sharing memories and love. 

And of course, there was some time for my favorite winter activity - sitting by the fireplace doing anything at all, whether it's work, reading, or watching football and (more) basketball!

Gold medals! These guys play great together and fought through some challenges.

I've perfected the homemade peppermint stick mocha. I'd be happy spending my life here forever. 

We found a spot to ice skate in late winter!

We made a decent showing at Battle of the Books, but missed DJ during his basketball tournament.

Great food, great crowd at Breaking Break & Building Bridges, a Black History Month event at LCS

Dressed up for homecoming

Franciscan Renewal Center

Sunrise hike up Mummy Mountain

Quality time with Nellie

We've had a lot of good times with Nellie this winter as she lives out her senior year as a flute player and future music major. 🤞We've been to Holland, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Haslett, and East Lansing in the last couple of months for auditions, lessons, and All-State Band - and we're not done yet! It's been fun, though a tiny bit stressful as a parent waiting and hoping.

First was the All-State Band prep and concert in Grand Rapids. Kevin and I met Nellie after work on Thursday and stayed through Saturday. We got to stay at the Amway Grand, which was an experience in itself! It felt very metropolitan, and we got to eat good food and go ice skating at the Rosa Parks Circle ice rink, which was a highlight even though I was terrified about broken bones the whole time. And it was freezing. The concert was beautiful and we were blessed and thankful to have lots of family there!

Ready to perform!

Fancy dinner the first night

Skating!

It was totally her idea, and I'm glad we went.

With the best music teachers around!

It was hard to get a picture, but here are the flutes!

The view in the hotel

The view from the hotel

As soon as that was over, it was time to audition. We were at WMU, Hope, and MSU all within a week. The WMU audition was a fun way to spend Valentine's Day - we carpooled with Nellie's bestie and her mom and we got to introduce them to our favorite coffee shop!

Waiting at WMU

Before

After

Waiting in Holland

Finally, I got to accompany Nellie for both district and state solo and ensembles. Those are always great days for me - we have a routine now that includes good food (Thai Princess) and coffee (Moka and Co.) And I've gotten over my nerves on Nellie's behalf because she's always so calm, though I definitely teared up during her solo at states. 

My favorite sign at Haslett High School

Woodwind quintet

All those notes!

A duet with Ellie, a super talented freshman! Nellie and Ellie - adorable.

Bonus photo of us driving to Hope for a flute lesson on a very snowy and cold day

It's hard to believe this particular season of our lives is coming to a close! I'm so thankful for these experiences this year.