James Van Der Beek Shares 5 Adorable Kids With His Wife — See Their Sweetest Family Photos
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James Van Der Beek is best known for his role as Dawson on Dawson's Creek, but his most notable role now is dad to five children, whom he shares with his wife, Kimberly. After getting married in 2010, they welcomed their oldest daughter, Olivia, the same year. Kimberly and James have always been open about their family life, even vulnerably sharing their multiple experiences with pregnancy loss in the past. In June, the pair shared that they'd suffered a fifth miscarriage at 17 weeks.
"After suffering a brutal, very public miscarriage last November, we were overjoyed to learn we were pregnant," he wrote on Instagram. "This time, we kept the news to ourselves. But last weekend, once again, 17 weeks in... the soul we'd been excited to welcome into the world had lessons for our family that did not include joining us in a living physical body."
Not exactly familiar with the Van Der Beek brood? Scroll ahead to get all the facts on his adorable squad.
Olivia Van Der Beek
Olivia is the oldest of the Van Der Beek kids. Born on Sept. 25, 2010, Olivia is certainly the apple of her father's eye. James shared a touching photo series in honor of her 10th birthday, and his caption will make pretty much any parent smile.
"Ten years ago you were born. Seems like yesterday... but also feels like another lifetime ago," he wrote. "As I see you peering over the edge of your childhood into whatever's next, I can't say I know exactly what that is - because you're my first. And just like at every new milestone you reach: I'm new at this. But I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am to be learning how to parent with YOU at the head of the pack. I know you're thinking about more than you're sharing... curious about more than you're asking... and sometimes all I can do is tell you I'm here for you. I'm on your team, invested only in the best possible outcome for you and your happiness. But I see your heart. I see your compassion, your fire, your exquisite creative nature... and I love every part of you. These have been the best ten years of my life. The world is an infinitely better place with you in it, kiddo. Even when you're making bunny ears behind me."
Joshua Van Der Beek
Joshua was born on March 13, 2012. He's James and Kimberly's only son, and loves playing big brother to his little sisters.
Annabel Van Der Beek
Born on Jan. 25, 2014, James and Kimberly's third child, Annabel, has just started school! Her dad gave her a sweet shoutout on her first day. "Just dropped this one off at school today for the first time," he wrote. "Last week she was asking me for a date every single morning. This week, she's unavailable. It's insane how much life just moves past you while you're busy trying to figure other 'important' things."
Emilia Van Der Beek
The fourth addition to the Van Der Beek squad is Emilia, who was born on March 23, 2016. "Lifetime supply of joy in a 33.5 pound bag," James captioned a sweet photo of himself with a 2-and-a-half-year-old Emilia. So cute!
Gwendolyn Van Der Beek
It seems like just yesterday Kimberly and James welcomed their fifth little one, but by the looks of her dad's Instagram she's growing up fast! Gwendolyn is the couple's fourth daughter, born June 15, 2018. Talk about a cutie!