Family is Everything by Caitlin Eddolls

The Saufley family gathers for ...;rsquo;s, family is everything.

The Saufley family gathers for their daily dinner together around the table at their home in Syracuse, New York on November 30, 2021. The Saufley’s are a family of seven but that number merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley is one of twelve siblings and was born in Switzerland while her father, a former SU history professor, was teaching internationally. Today, Kate and five of her siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. They often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufley’s, family is everything.

The Jacksons are a family living in Syracuse, New York. There are twelve adult siblings, and amongst them, they have forty-five children. They are bound by their unique upbringing, faith, and a core value that family must be there for each other above all else.

In an era when people are having fewer children, and families spread out across the country (and world), families like the Jacksons are few and far between.

Liesl carries branches back to ...;rsquo;s, family is everything.

Liesl carries branches back to the car that she's found on the ground to use for handmade reeths in Syracuse, New York on December 11, 2021. The Saufley’s are a family of seven but that number merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley is one of twelve siblings and was born in Switzerland while her father, a former SU history professor, was teaching internationally. Today, Kate and five of her siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. They often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufley’s, family is everything.

Susannah Park's mother ....” Syracuse, New York

Susannah Park's mother is 77 years old and they both live in Syracuse, New York. Because of her mother's age and declining health, she needs the help of her children to maintain her property along with basic household tasks. October 21, 2022. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING: CHAPTER 7 Susannah is the seventh oldest of twelve siblings. Now, she and her husband, Richard, have four children of their own and homeschool from their home in Syracuse, New York. They often view their lives as chaotic but say their family “lives and learns together through faith, love and grace.” Syracuse, New York

Abi Jackson begins the process ...Jacksons, family is everything.

Abi Jackson begins the process of trying to get everyone's teeth brushed before bed at their home in Syracuse, New York on April 14, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

In Syracuse, New York on Feb. 1...Jacksons, family is everything.

In Syracuse, New York on Feb. 18, 2022, Florence, Eleanor, Nicholas, and Titus Jackson, 9, play Super Mario Kart (the video game) together in their basement. The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Nememiah peers through the fron...Jacksons, family is everything.

Nememiah peers through the front door as his siblings head over to the van for school at their home in Syracuse, New York on March 21, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Charlie Park, 9, shows frustrat...er 22, 2022. Syracuse, New York

Charlie Park, 9, shows frustration while waiting to play the piano while his older brother Sam, 14, practices at their home in Syracuse, New York on October 22, 2022. Syracuse, New York

Liesl and Jane, Liesl's...Jacksons, family is everything.

Liesl and Jane, Liesl's cousin, eat popsicles at Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York on April 24, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Florence Jackson plays with her...Jacksons, family is everything.

Florence Jackson plays with her baby brother Winston at the dinner table during Passover Sunday in Syracuse, New York on April 14, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Ella lays on her cousins&#3...Jacksons, family is everything.

Ella lays on her cousins' hammock and reads one of her books on a warm day in Syracuse, New York on March 18, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Abi Jackson begins the process of trying to get everyone's teeth brushed before bed at their home in Syracuse, New York on April 14, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Kate Saufley holds her new baby...Jacksons, family is everything.

Kate Saufley holds her new baby nephew, Winston, while her older nephew, Nicholas, peers through the glass door at them in Syracuse, New York on March 18, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

The Jacksons, Saufleys, and cou...Jacksons, family is everything.

The Jacksons, Saufleys, and cousins celebrate Easter Sunday at Trinity Church in Jamesville, New York on April 17, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Lucinda Jackson, Kate and Natha...Jacksons, family is everything.

Lucinda Jackson, Kate and Nathanial's mother, poses for a portrait by her yucca plant in her home in Syracuse, New York on April 28, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Kate Saufley and her family sha...Jacksons, family is everything.

Kate Saufley and her family share memories of her father at his grave site in Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York on April 24, 2022. (Photo by Caitlin Eddolls) The Saufley’s are a family of seven, and the Jackson's a family of eight, but those numbers merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley and Nathanial Jackson are two of twelve siblings. Four of their siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. Nathanial and Abi Jackson have six children, and Nathanial is a pastor at their local church where they all attend weekly. They all often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufleys and Jacksons, family is everything.

Liesl goofs around while Christ...;rsquo;s, family is everything.

Liesl goofs around while Christmas tree hunting and smears a tree with the mud she has purposefully gotten all over her hands in Syracuse, New York on December 11, 2021. The Saufley’s are a family of seven but that number merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley is one of twelve siblings and was born in Switzerland while her father, a former SU history professor, was teaching internationally. Today, Kate and five of her siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. They often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufley’s, family is everything.

The Saufley family poses for a ...;rsquo;s, family is everything.

The Saufley family poses for a portrait outside of their home in Syracuse, New York on December 12, 2021. The Saufley’s are a family of seven but that number merely scratches the surface. Kate Saufley is one of twelve siblings and was born in Switzerland while her father, a former SU history professor, was teaching internationally. Today, Kate and five of her siblings live in Syracuse, New York; amongst the twelve of them, there are a total of forty-five grandchildren. Kate and Matthew Saufley have five children: Liesl, Bram (who was born with Down syndrome), Tristan, James, and Lucinda. Four of them still live under one roof, and Lucinda is in her senior year of college. They often view themselves as chaotic, but from an outsider’s perspective it is a loving chaos that functions through strong family values, love, playfulness, and of course, the Premier League. In an era when families are increasingly spread out across the country (and globe) and couples are having fewer children, this type of family has become a rarity. Each and every family prioritizes things differently and for the Saufley’s, family is everything.

Caitlin Eddolls

Also by Caitlin Eddolls —

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Two Funerals

Documentary Family Work

Mask Making

Family is Everything

The Spray Rodeo