2007 A Haertl'y Christmas Greeting!!
As the fluffy white snow surrounds us, Christmas season is upon us. Some
of you have received a Christmas letter, this one parallels the original
with a few slight updates... perhaps the first and foremost, after a great
couple of visits to the school and a nice scholarship, Mikaela has decided
to go to St. Kates! Here is the letter with a couple of additional
photos too!
Greetings to all our friends and family! We hope this
Annual Christmas greeting finds you healthy and happy. As time seems to pass
by so fast, it seems just yesterday I sat down to write the annual greeting;
yet as I reflect upon the past year, Mikaela’s senior year in high
school brings wonder of where time goes. The year brought family trips
including Colorado and Wisconsin, Mikaela and I shared in our annual trip
to family camp, and I was fortunate to have numerous travel opportunities
through work and to visit friends. The summer was filled with both
fun and challenge as I took two bad falls including a 6 foot fall from a
loading dock (head first) and another “fly over the handlebars fall” while
biking with a friend. Thank the Lord that my head is still on semi-straight
and I wasn’t more seriously injured. In addition, sadly we lost our
13 year old cat Oreo in July. Midnight (10 years) was lonely so we
added a new adorable 3 year old polydactyl cat to our home. “Mittens”
was so named as she looks as though she has mittens on all four paws!! What
a delight she is! As for other family, my mom and dad spent more than twice
as much as they bought their house for in the 60’s to redecorate, and Dan’s
mother made a significant move in November of 06 out of her hometown Neenah
(where she lived 86 years) and is now living in a Senior Community in Appleton
Wisconsin. As for the rest of us, here’s a brief update….
The newest member of the family...as
we sadly said good bye to Oreo we welcomed in Mittens...
an adorable 3 year old
polydactyl cat, as you can see, she has mittens on all 4 paws!
Dan continues full time work as a Christian
Education Director and a Lifetime Fitness Tennis Pro. Life is busier as he
hadn’t worked full time in over 16 years; he says there are both rewards
and drawbacks yet there are no more midnight practices as there were with
coaching college tennis!! Highlights of his year include the family
trip to Estes Park, witnessing Mikaela’s election as captain of the Rugby
team, working at the Hamline All Sports Tennis Camps, Attending Summerfest
Christian Camp with the senior high students, coaching the Osseo JV tennis
team, and volunteering to sing and play music at the inner city City View
School.
The Beauty of Estes Park
Kristi I am heading into my 25th year of teaching
early morn aerobics two to three days a week and continue as a full time
faculty member at the College of St. Catherine. On the side I continue
in private practice and have been busy with several academic and personal
writing projects. Following my falls I cut down on running but had the blessing
of taking on more biking trips with friends and have traversed through miles
of enjoyment on several of the Minnesota trails. In addition a group
of friends attended our 11th charity bike ride… this year we again did the
MS150. In addition, I had the blessings of my 25th high school reunion this
past fall. Folks came from all over and we had a night of celebration,
food, fun, and heartfelt talks. Many of my friends and I continue to
get together on a bi-monthly basis, others I hadn’t seen in awhile but it
is amazing how good friendships transcend time, space and place. I
am forever so grateful! Highlights of the year included the reunion,
family and personal travels, the cherished time with Mikaela at Family Camp,
trips to St. Louis and New Mexico, and precious time with the important souls
that grace my life.
Merry
Christmas from some of our aerobics crew!!
And... Girl's Night Out!!!
MS 150 2007
The beauty of new Mexico...
Sandia Peak
One of many favorite MN bike trails
and rides
Mikaela After what seems like just a few years,
Mikaela is now a senior at Blaine High. She is taking several honors
and AP classes and reports she is more than ready to be “done” with high
school (smile). On the side she enjoys her closest friends Jodi and
Jesse; she plays acoustic guitar in a Contemporary Christian band, she weekly
reads more than most American’s do in a month; she is extensively involved
in art and drawing; and she is the Captain of the Wolves Rugby team through
the Minnesota Rugby Association. On the side she is working as a Child Care
Assistant f at her old elementary school! The teachers can’t believe
how quickly she’s grown! Mikaela tentatively plans to pursue education
and possibly American Sign Language (something she is quite fluent in) and
has narrowed her list down to Hamline, and yes, the one school she said she’d
never attend (not because mom was there, but because it is all women)… the
College of St. Catherine!! Perhaps we will be sharing lunches on occasion
next year?! Mikaela reports highlights of her year as (a) family
camp, (b) family camp, (c) family camp (d) rugby, (e) fun vacations (f)
her job at Adventures Plus and (g) spending time with old friends and meeting
new ones! ** Flash update—Mikaela is attending St. Kates next
year!! I guess we will be sharing lunch?!
Mikaela's rugby banquent...
Congrats Mikaela... voted as Captain of the Wolves Rugby
team!!
As the season of love, peace and joy comes and goes... I pray that peace
love and joy will surround each of you. Let us continue the beauty
of the season throughout 2008!!!!
Christmas Beauty
Snow fallen splendor
breathes holiday cheer
as folks busy bustle
signs Christmas near
The fervent, the feverish
rush to the store
As the season unfolds
and knocks at our door
The trees all need trimming
The stockings must be hung
The cards must be written
The bells must be rung
Yet in all the magic
In all the cheer
Take time to pause
for time with those dear
For God's love came down
and graced our Earth's Sky
In giving his gift, for you and I
Let's pause in our thanks
to the dear Lord above
and share with each other
our kindness and love
I thank each of you
for your presence you see
and how you grace
my life journey
I wish for you
both far and near
A Very Merry Christmas
and Blessed New Year!!!
Kristi
