January 16, 2026

Meeting the Dannettels

A Whirlwind of Dance, Energy, and a Whole Lot of Heart a Heading


I am so excited to introduce you to our January family feature for Westminster Living: the wonderful Dannettel family! If I had to describe Ed, Jess, and their crew in just one word, it would definitely be busy (and maybe "spectacularly coordinated").

Between Ed and Jess’s dedicated work within our community and a schedule that would make a professional juggler dizzy, there is never a dull moment in their household.

The Team Players

Let’s talk about the kids! First, we have Alexa (15) and Madelyn (12). These two are absolute powerhouses in the dance world. You can usually find them at the studio five to six days a week—which, let’s be honest, is basically living there. They are incredibly talented and dedicated, and it shows!

Then there’s 8-year-old Eddie. Eddie is the resident spark plug of the family. He’s full of energy and keeps everyone on their toes, ensuring that "boredom" isn't a word in the Dannettel dictionary.

Finding the "White Space"

With dance shoes constantly in motion and community projects on the go, the Dannettels truly cherish the rare "blank" spots on the calendar. When they finally find a day that isn't packed to the brim, they love to slow down and just betogether. Whether it’s taking a family trip, heading out to a nice dinner, or just piling onto the couch for a movie night, those quiet moments are their favorite way to recharge.

Smiles and Sibling Shenanigans

One thing I noticed right away? This family is all smiles. They are genuinely kind and charming, but they definitely have a silly side. When I asked what makes the kids laugh or smile the most, the answer was unanimous: making fun of Mom and Dad! Hey, whatever works for the photo, right? Ed and Jess are such good sports about it, and that playful energy is exactly what makes them such a joy to be around.

It was such a treat to capture the Dannettels for this month’s issue. They are a beautiful reminder that even when life is fast-paced, there’s always room for laughter and a little bit of dancing!

A group sits together on a gray porch, arranged in a casual scene across multiple connected photos.
Family sits together on couch with dog during holiday season with decorated Christmas trees in background.
Family and their happy fluffy dog pose together on a teal couch with a decorated Christmas tree in the background.
Candid family moment with laughter and joy while sitting on blue couch near Christmas decorations.
Portrait against blurred holiday lights wearing a cream sweater with long wavy brown hair.
A child wearing a light gray quarter-zip sweater poses in front of a Christmas tree with twinkling bokeh lights.
Portrait with festive bokeh background wearing a pink sweater and natural long hair.
A family group sits together smiling on a couch during the holiday season with Christmas decorations in the background.
A child in a light gray sweatshirt smiles warmly against a background of soft, blurred holiday lights.
A person in a pink sweater smiles warmly against a blurred background with twinkling bokeh lights.
Four people laughing together on a blue couch during a holiday photoshoot with a Christmas tree in background.