Greetings and blessings to each of you
this Christmas season! This past year was filled with several
adventures involving many personal and professional travels
including family trips to Florida, the Dominican Republic, our
annual Northern Pines Family Camp excursion, and the
opportunity for summer travel with dad to the Keplinger family
reunion (over 80 strong) in Washington and Idaho. I too had the
blessing of numerous personal and work related domestic and
international travels and also captained our 23rd Purple
Pumpers team on the MS 150 (bike ride from Duluth to the
cities to benefit MS). Dad was the oldest of the 3500 riders
at age 85—he is still able to bike at a good clip! Dad also
ventured to climb Machu Picchu; he was the oldest by over 25+
years in his tour group. Mikaela, Bri
and Caleb moved into a 2 bedroom apartment and more exciting
adventures await them in 2019!!
Dad demonstrating his
Hula Skills
23rd Annual Purple Pumpers- MS 150 (we've raised over
$130,000)
Dan- Dan continues to defy age with an active
workout and tennis schedule as the Maple Grove Girls’ and
Centennial Boys’ coach and too teaches tennis classes at the
University. He is also a teaching pro at the University of
Minnesota & Public Indoor tennis. This year he was again
blessed to have an 9th grader from his Maple Grove team, Zoey
Adkins go to state (3rd year in a row), she took 3rd
place. He too had a doubles team represented in the
tournament. Dan also remained active in music with his band,
plays regularly in the church praise group, and provides
entertainment at some of our regular neighborhood gatherings
on the lake. Highlights
for Dan in 2018 include a good tennis year, family travels,
spending time on our pontoon, and enjoying the great outdoors
on our motorcycle.
Kristi-Despite an athletic injury over
the summer requiring a recent ortho procedure, I was blessed
with a decent running/ biking year, and amazing travels. In addition to
family trips, I was honored to serve in a variety of guest
speaker roles, and checked another item off my bucket list
having now presented research on 6 continents as I had the
opportunity to present at our World OT Congress in South
Africa. Additional
travels included being honored with the AOTF Meritorious
service award at AOTA in Utah (& skiing), a family/friends
trip to Washington (with skiing), presenting at the SSO: USA
Research conference in Kentucky, and other opportunities that
I pause in gratitude for.
Our co-authored book is scheduled
for release at AOTA in New Orleans this April. Amidst the turmoil
in the nation this past year, I have come to affirm the
importance of speaking our voice, taking action, and promoting
peace. I too hold to the power of faith, hope, love and
prayer. Highlights
of the year include all the amazing travels, and valuable
times spent with dearly loved friends and family. Thank you! :)
Left- visiting my friend Julie up on the North
Shore
Right- still getting together with aerobics
friends- I retired from teaching aerobics after 35 years ! :)
Mikaela- I
have had a stellar and life changing year! To say the least.
Within the last year I: have had a stellar and life changing
year! To say the least. Within the last year I: started
dating the most amazing and wonderful Bri, fallen
head-over-heels in love with her, moved in with Bri and Caleb
into an apartment, gotten engaged, and, we have bought our
first home! Bri, Caleb and I will be moving into our house in
January! We aer super stoked and are so looking forward to
decorating and making memories in our first home. I
continue to be a 34d grade teacher at Northeast College Prep;
daily my kids inspire, challenge, exhaust and invigorate me!
Highlights of the year all center around spending time with my
phenomenal parents, the lovely Bri and Caleb, as well as my
closest friends. I also throughly enjoyed the traditional trek
to Family Camp as well as performing with my drumming group,
Drumheart. I am forever grateful for such an amazing faimily,
good health, and meaningful career.
We send you all the warmest of wishes for a beautiful Christmas
and Happy New Year. May we all seek to live life fully, love
fervently and strive to make a positive difference! (My personal
motto <Kristi>.
God's Blessings to Each of you!
With love and friendship
The Haertl Family
Kristi's Additional
Friends and Family Photos!!!
Travels- A few of my Personal / Familial and Professional
(conferences)
St. Pete Florida:
Dominican Republic!!
Above- The beauty of the beaches in the Dominican
Republic
Below: Washington:
to 
Christmas
Beauty 