Hartmann Home

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Winter Fun

With the frigid weather this winter, we're starting to get cabin fever. So we decided to venture outdoors today for a little Minnesota wintertime activity. We tried snowshoeing at Fort Snelling State Park. Light snow was falling and we walked in the woods and along the frozen lake. Snowshoeing is surprisingly easy, and allows you to get off the beaten path. We were able to follow a family of deer in the woods, and we also saw many wild turkey. So much fun!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Ben Heads to College

Ben headed off to his new adventures at the U of MN this week. Before he took off, we gathered with a few friends for a send off dinner at Little Szechuan. Delicious food and fun conversation fortified him for the busy days ahead.

Send off dinner at

Little Szechuan

On Wednesday UMN band camp, known to band members as SPAT camp, began. Ben moved to temporary housing in one of the dorms and started his 14 hour days of intensive music and marching at TCF stadium. With only 9 days to prepare for the home opener, the band has been hard at work from early in the morning to late at night.

Ready to leave home

First day of band practice, learning to march sounds like hard work.

The band prepares for the game on a sweltering day. Thermometer reads 120 on the field.

Sunday Ben moved into his regular dorm room, where he will spend this year. Nice room with a view of the river. Air conditioning was welcomed on this sweltering day, but probably won't be too long before the cool of Fall arrives in MN.

Ben in front of his dorm building.

Relaxing after unpacking and before heading back to rehearsal.

School starts Sept 3. Class schedule set and books bought. Before school starts, Ben will play with the UMN band at convocation, the MN State Fair, and the season opener.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Graduation!

Ben and Ian

Ben, Tommy and Wyatt (grade school and high school buds)

Ben and Wyatt

Ben with diploma!

Ben with Tommy, Conny, and Wyatt

Saturday, June 1, 2013

A Mammoth May

With such a long winter, it seems like spring 2013 was compacted into about two weeks for us here in Minnesota. That's probably a bit of an exaggeration, but the month of May was exceptionally busy. It started on May Day with Ben's 11th hour decision to attend the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!)

and then included:

--Emma and Ben in the state history day competition
--Ben and Doug singing the Bach Cantata with the Hope Choir
--9 tennis matches (Como placed 3rd with an 11-3 record, Ben played in sectionals and was named All-Conference Honorable Mention)

--11 softball games (including 2 double headers) Como won the conference. Emma had a great season, batting .340, and catching every game. Emma was named Honorable Mention for the All-Conference Team, the only freshman in the conference to do so.

--Ben's Prom

--Terri and Doug finishing classes and doing CLA commencement;

--Final high school band and orchestra concert for Ben.

Ben (top right) plays at the Ordway Honors Orchestra Concert

Ben is introduced by Principal Mesick

Several different honors events and receptions were mixed in there as well. St. Paul District Top 10 Seniors (Ben got a limo ride to that!), Robotics banquet, Senior Honor's Night, Ben's National Honor Society pinning ceremony, and the Undergraduate Honors program (where Emma received departmental awards for biology, social studies, art, spanish and math).

Ben's limo ride to the Top 10 Reception

Ben and Emma before St. Paul Top Ten Students Honors Reception

Ben and Medora at Senior Honors Night

Como Park High School Varsity Softball Banquet 2013 (Emma in middle in pink and white)

And there's no resting on our laurels. The week ahead will bring Nana and Papa for a visit, the first softball game of summer season on Monday (Doug's out of retirement to coach Emma one more time), Ben's graduation (on Wednesday), then the Senior All Night Party, and Emma working her first shift ever at Connie's on Saturday.