family photo time capsule 2026

Every year, we take a family picture in front of this wall at our church. When Eric and I snapped the first one for our 2010 Christmas card, we had no intention of making it a yearly thing. Then we found ourselves taking photos there shortly after Rooney was born, and the rest is history. We now have 16 photos in our collection, and it's a fun way to see how our family has changed over the years.

When I look at this year's photo, here's what I see:

• Rooney (14): officially a high schooler (😱), is learning to drive (‼️), will soon get her braces off (😬), and made freshman show choir (💃🏻)

• Eric (42): busier than ever at work, but still manages to support us all and make it to every single game, concert, and event 🙌🏻

• Kelsey (42): in my 13th year of working at Lutheran Church of Hope and still loving it, reading as much as I can while (attempting to) keep the family running smoothly, recently discovered crew socks (like all the cool kids wear)

• Finch (11): officially a fifth grader, wants to learn how to play the alto sax, can solve a Rubik’s cube, drop-in on roller skates, and back flip off the high dive, is obsessed with Nate Bargatze, only wears matching sets, his favorite color is hot pink, and his mullet deserves its own photoshoot