Merry Christmas

Big TK won the "most excited about their gifts" designation at Christmas Eve with the family. Underwear, socks and t-shirts brought about the glee. Lil' TK and Kels were thrilled with their gifts and seemed to enjoy having Aunt Jackie, cousins Jacob, Cary, Teresa and Kate along with Gramma Nita hanging out at their home for the festivities. As usual there was too much food but the mood was cheerful and relaxing.

Santa made his appearance bright and early Christmas morning surprising Lil' TK with a real guitar of his very own and Kels with the "Bearpaws" boots she's been wishing for.

Next up for the Kopp Crew...birthdays! Lil' TK and Kels turn 13 this year.

Teenagers. Yikes.  

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

B-Ball Gold and Snow

What a weekend for Kopp Crew basketball!

Lil’ TK fought through an ankle injury to play some great ball. Even though he and Big TK both told Ang he wasn’t going to play (upon which Ang stayed home instead of paying an entry fee into a tournament just to watch Lil’ TK warm the bench). The team lost all 3 games but it was good to know that Lil’ TK is becoming the kind of team-mate and player who will fight adversity to do what he can to help the team.

Kels and the Mankato West Red girls played in Northfield at beautiful St. Olaf College on Sunday. Despite still being the newest-to-basketball player on the team, she found her stride and did a tremendous job on defense and at post. 1 basket, 1 free throw and several rebounds and steals later, the girls took home the first place medal in the 7th grade division. Ang did get to see this one…hence the pictures to prove it!

Oh, as if we didn't have enough of the white stuff...it IS snowing here in the great state of MN again. Lots and lots of snow. It's gorgeous out there. Not so fun driving. But this is what winter in MN is all about.

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

More Basketball and Stuff.

Lil’ TK and the West White Scarlets are 1-5 after 2 tournaments. Better start than last year but still a bit disappointing. Lil’ TK is taking it all in stride trying to become a leader on the team and learn all that comes with that responsibility. Weather has not been kind to the practice schedule and the boys have a tournament in Lakeville this weekend before heading into the holiday break…and hopefully some more practice opportunities.

Kels has been doing well in school basketball, winning more than they’ve lost. She is on the A team which is great “practice” for the traveling team she decided to join. Some of her best friends are on this team (which only had 4 girls at try outs). The team is now at 7 players including Kels and has played in two tournaments. The competition and pace of the traveling games is much different than school but Kels is doing her best to learn all she can as fast as she can so that she can contribute as much as she can. Next up for the traveling team is a one day tournament in Northfield at St. Olaf College on Sunday before they head into the holiday break. School ball will be coming to an end on the 21st with a game against cross-town rival East. Then it will be focusing on traveling basketball and starting to get ready for softball.

It truly NEVER ENDS at the Kopp household.

Big TK has been working for a friend on a temp/part time basis. It’s been good for him to get out and do something productive. Acoustic Inc has 3 dates coming up, which always is exciting since music is his first true love. There is also talk of getting another band together (not acoustic – more members, more hard rock).

Ang is just Ang…making things harder than they need to be day by day – and trying to enjoy every minute of it.

Merry Christmas!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Favorite Teacher

Kels' class assignment for English.

Dear Mrs. Brudwick,
In English class we are writing to our favorite teachers, and I instantly thought of you! You were always there for me, and I could not have asked for a better teacher!

I thought of you as a second mom to me. You would come support/watch me play sports, you helped me pull my loose teeth out, you taught me valuable lessons, but more importantly you made 2nd and 3rd grade the best years. You made coming to school so much fun! Though I am now in 7th grade at DMMS, I definitely miss Hoover and everyone there.

I hope you know that you were (and still are) a huge part ofmy life. I will never forget you!

Thanks again!

Sincerely,
Kels
________________________________________________________
Hoping everyone is lucky enough to have an influence on their life like this...

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Basketball and Stuff

Kels played in her first “real” basketball game with her school team (which they won!). Scored a basket on a layup and everything! There’s still a lot to get use to with the pace of the game and understanding all the rules and plays but she looked great on the court and was even helping direct others to where they should be for each play. She also joined a traveling basketball team which has their first tournament November 13th. What started as something to do to get in better shape for softball may be becoming a new sport to pursue. Either way, it’s great to see Kels competing, playing with her friends and having fun.

Lil’ TK made Big TK and Ang very proud with how he worked hard and brought his grades in Algebra and Science up before the end of the quarter. He is finishing the quarter strong and looking forward to whatever the next one brings (and especially PE class – his FAVORITE subject!). His traveling basketball team is practicing and getting ready for their first tournament on November 20th.

Big TK and Ang are guides at church for Club 78 – the name for the confirmation program. Each has 4-5 kids in their confirmation class. They will stick with these kids for the next 3 years as they go through the confirmation process and become adults in the church. It’s been interesting so far and promises to only get more so.

Abby takes all the running around her family does in stride. She has a nice nest made in her big comfy pillow in the living room. Ang is working on getting her out for more walks as she loves them. Say the word, “Walk” around her and she is up and ready to go. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could have that energy and ambition to exercise?





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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Seasons End - Seasons Begin...

The 2010 7th Grade Hickorytech Rams from the West side ended the season with a win and a 6-0 record.
The team was fun to watch all season as the boys played hard, played together and played a full game each and every time. As the games continued and reached the 4th quarter, the Rams seemed to get more energized and hungrier for that notch in the Win column. Everyone is looking forward to watching this group play as West Scarlets in 8th grade next fall and carry on the tradition the Varsity team has started. The West Scarlets are 8-0 on the season and heading into playoffs. Here’s hoping they can add a State trophy to the Jug (won in the West vs. East game 10/20!) in that trophy case at the high school!

The DMMS D1 Volleyball team ended the season on a sourer note with losses to cross town rival East and Fairmont. Kels had fun playing with her friends and seems to have really improved as a player. Being the competitive athlete she is, she was hoping for a better season but it seems like there is a lot of potential with the serious players and next year should be another great experience.

Next up for the Kopp Crew: Basketball. School ball for both Kels and Lil’ TK starts with the Parent Meeting the last week of October. Lil’ TK again tried out for the traveling b-ball program in town as well and was placed on the “White (B)” team. Expecting practices to start soon for all of it…Ang and Big TK might actually be busier with b-ball than baseball/softball in the summer with 3 different teams to coordinate!

Mankato/North Mankato got deluged with rain at the end of September - some towns around us didn't have running water for a week due to flooding at their water treatment plants...everyone seemed to have water in their basements (but not us -  Thank you Lord!). The MN River got freakishly high...these pics from the stoplights at Lookout Drive and Lee Blvd - near the Judson Bottom Road - which was almost completely under water!

Ang is excited to FINALLY have a real grown-up bedroom to call her own. After 10 years of working slowly on the rest of the house, the bedroom finally got painted and decorated. Now to get going on Lil’ TK’s room, the kids’ bathroom and Ang’s office…it never ends!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Start of September...

Lil' TK (#33) and the West Hickorytech Rams are 3-0. The team plays really well together...and hits HARD. They aren't afraid to tackle and they aren't afraid to go for the ball. The team has been fun to watch and cheer for.

School started for Lil' TK and Kels. Both kids love their new school and the new routine they follow as "sevey's". Both are making a ton of new friends and seem to have taken on the additional responsibility of "Jr High" without much anxiety or trepidation.

Kels and the West Scarlets Dakota 1 Volleyball team have played against three school teams - 16 matches total...winning more than they've lost. Kels is the starting server so far and has gotten good at placing her serves in just the right spot. Ang wasn't expecting to get so hyped up to watch and cheer for volleyball, but fans really can get into it and have fun!



Ang and Big TK are just trying to stay on top of things with getting the kids where they need to be and when. Big TK is actively looking for that one job opportunity that will end the unemployment roller coaster ride.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

August 2010

August started out with a sigh of relief that baseball and softball had come to an end and the weekends were free. Or so was thought!

8/9 – Ang, Kels and Lil’ TK went to the Vikings Training Camp with the cousins from SD and WI and super-awesome Aunt Sharon. It was way too hot to be comfortable but everyone had fun checking out practice, checking out the *hot* players and watching the younger boys have fun at the activities and autograph sessions. The cousins were able to get some cool Vikings gear so that they can cheer on the purple and gold with pride back home!

8/11 – Abby Lou’s birthday. 6 years old!

Kels has pitching tryouts for the 14U Peppers 2011 teams. First year trying out at that age level…said the older girls (16U and 18U) made her nervous but she did her best and even got to tryout with BFF MM.

8/14 – Andy and Jenny’s wedding in St. Paul. St. Thomas More church – incredible!! Again, too hot to be comfortable but a good time was had by all. Adopted Kopp Crew member, JM, gave an awesome Best Man speech. We laughed; we cried…it became a part of us. Oh – and the Vikings won the first pre-season game!

8/15 – Kels has fielding/batting tryouts for 14U Peppers 2011 teams. Weather was a little nicer, which was good since tryouts took over 2 hours! Gets a call a week later that she made the B team and will have the same coach she had her very first year in Peppers. Very exciting! Will also have her other BFF's from summer softball, KE and AL, on the team again!

8/16 – Lil’ TK starts Football practices. Is placed on the MNMYF West - Hickorytech Rams. Ang cannot wait to start cheering on #33. Pain heals, chicks dig scars…Glory lasts forever!

8/20-8/22 – VACATION at Mound Lake. Truly God’s country. Located by Burtrum/Upsala/Long Prairie/Grey Eagle. Lil’ TK’s adopted family – The Marshes – have a lake home there. Invited the whole Crew up. So blessed to have such great friends. No internet, no cell phone, no plans. Just relaxed riding the waves on the pontoon all weekend. Very sad to have to come home to reality but the Crew did miss Abby Lou - who was overjoyed to see us return. Although a quiet house and Gramma Nita to herself all weekend could not have been bad….

8/25-9/6 – Big TK is working at the Great MN Get-Together…the State Fair for the Vikings Locker Room. Blessed again with a great friend –JM – who offered to let him stay at his place in Bloomington the whole time he is working at the fair.

8/30 – Kels starts school volleyball practices. First match is 9/9.

9/9 – Kels and Lil’ TK start Dakota Meadows Middle School. As 7th graders. Ang is going to need to start buying a lot more hair coloring kits to fend off the gray hairs that will be coming…Holy Cow – 7th graders! Where has the time gone?

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Summer's Flying By...

Happy 6th Birthday Abby Lou!

Summer storms featuring wind and hail hit in July and now the homestead needs new siding and a new roof. Celebrating no more yellow house! Now onto the fun part – picking new colors.

Lil’ TK and Kels are gearing up for Middle School – 7th grade. They are placed on “trails” in 7th and 8th grade here on the WEST side. They are assigned a certain section of the school, with certain teachers and half the total 7th grade class. They are assigned a home room/teacher and will be moving to different rooms within the trail for classes. Gives them a taste of what high school will be like without all the upper classmen to worry about.

New school, new rules and the opportunity to play school sports. Kels starts volleyball at the end of August. Should be an exciting year.

Kels has tryouts for the 2011 14U Peppers summer traveling softball program today. Because she will be 13 by the end of the year, she has to “move up” to the next age group for softball. It’s a big step but Big TK and Ang are confident she is ready. She had such a great summer and grew so much as a player...she’s got this…;o)

Big TK is enjoying working for the Vikings Locker Room at training camp and was asked to work the State Fair at the end of August for them as well. The discount it nice, it’s air-conditioned and he will get to spend 2 weeks with his buddy, Jeff, who lives in Bloomington. Jeff has graciously offered to let Big TK stay with hm while he is working the fair. Great friends make life so much more fun! Ang is just hoping she isn’t certified insane by the end of Big TK’s extended stay in Bloomington from trying to keep the tweens from killing each other at home. Hopefully the excitement of a new school will pre-occupy them enough!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Summer Sports Come to an End...

Kels and the 12U Peppers Blue went 6-2 at Nationals and took 5th out of 46 teams. Kels pitched in all 8 games and was really “on fire”. The whole team played like the parents and coaches knew they could for those first 6 games but unfortunately reverted to bad habits and silly errors in the two losses. It was tough to see them lose their mojo in the two most important games of the tournament but Ang tried to remember something Lil' TK's coach said at the Royals end of the year party, "Enjoy the Moment."
Now Kels has to get ready for the 14U Peppers tryouts which take place in early August. Hard to believe she is moving to 14's already!!

Then it’s onto volleyball for Kels at her new school – Dakota Meadows Middle School. She will start playing for the West Scarlets – which is the high school here. Now sure who is more excited to see her wear the Scarlet uniform – Big TK or Ang!

Lil’ TK starts football through a community organization that runs an outstanding program. Football doesn’t start until 8th grade through the school so this will be his last year with this program before putting on the ol’ red and white of the Scarlets as well. He plans on playing basketball in the winter at DMMS. It will be an exciting year!

Big TK starts working for Vikings Training Camp in a couple of days. The whole family is getting excited for Vikings football. Will he or won’t he?? The Purple Moses is keeping us in limbo as to whether he will play for the Vikes again or not. But that really isn’t anything new, is it? ;-p

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Baseball is done for 2010

Lil' TK and the Royals 12U AA Maroon ended the season with a 15-12-2 record. Lost their swagger and did not play well the first day of State in Eagan. Played for pride and for their coach today and won their last pool game 6-1. It's been an interesting season with a college hall of fame coach, big expectations, big frustrations and a record that is disappointing but deceiving. The boys grew more as players than they realize, and than they showed at the end, but will definitely benefit from this experience.

Kels and the Peppers 12U Blue girls have Nationals next weekend and then ball is done for the year. It will be weird to not have the weekends planned but nice to be done with the madness.

Big TK has been finding work with Coach Dean and his baseball clinics and with his band, Acoustic Inc. He loves performing and is looking forward to starting a loud and proud rock band with "G-Man" again.


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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Countdown to...

It’s hard to believe we are over half way done with the softball/baseball season at the Kopp house.

KK has the Mankato Peppers Summer Sizzler Tournament this weekend, then New Ulm’s Windmill Classic and the Sioux Falls Ringneck the 4th of July weekend. Peppers Blue has qualified for Nationals the 3rd weekend in July in Eagan as well. Their record so far is 24-7 including tournament and league games (well – those that haven’t been rained out). They seem to have hit a bit of a mid-season slump with silly mistakes and errors costing them not only runs, but confidence as well. Here’s hoping they get their mojo back at Mankato and play like the true champions they are.

Lil’ TK and the Royals Maroon AA boys have the weekend off. They, too, have had some rough games as of late (record is 11-9-2) and have not yet qualified for the state tournament they were hoping to. They play in their Mankato tournament the last weekend in June. Shaken confidence has given way to “bonehead” plays (Ang’s affectionate word for not playing up to potential!) which end up costing them games. But they are a very talented group of young men, who can play with the best of them when they remember to play as a team, focus on the job at hand and keep their heads held high.

Big TK and the PA parted ways in May. Apparently temper tantrums still work as adults and the corporate wieners gave into whiny hourly employees who didn’t like the fact that someone might actually come in and make them work for their pay. Some things are for the best. He has been able to pick up jobs working with Sports Institute and Dean Bowyer BaseballCamps. He loves working with the kids, helping them learn the game and being around the sports. If this could be his full time job – he would be a very happy man. Acoustic Incorporated is going well and the group has been asked back to several of their venues. They seem to be able to pull in the crowd and keep them partying all night.

Ang is getting over a cough/cold and a plugged up ear. Heading to the ENT doc to make sure everything is ok as her ear seems to plug up and ring off and on yet. Fretting over her unkempt home, worrying about her weight and not doing the right things to get healthy have taken their toll and made her realize she needs to make some changes and CALM DOWN. Easier said than done.


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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Weekend 2 in the books!

Lil’ TK and the Royals 12U AA Maroon took 4th at the Woodbury Invitational. Even got trophies! And they got a MSF State Berth. They won the two games they needed to in order to make it to Sunday and bracket play. Lil’ TK played short stop a lot and has shown himself to be pretty good in that position. As a treat for a great weekend, made a stop at Hooters in Burnsville on the way home. For the food, of course. 

Kels and the Peppers 12U Blue took 3rd or 4th at the Wayzata Warm-up. (They only recognized the top two teams?!?) IN THE “A” BRACKET! The girls did a great job working together to get the wins needed to move into the bracket with the “A” level teams. They were beat out of the tournament by a good “A” team from Eastview but did manage to stick with them for most of the game, only losing 8-2. Kels was able to get a lot of pitching in due to one of the other pitchers on the team fracturing her ankle. Unfortunately, Adri won’t be back with the team for a month or so. Kels is happy to have the opportunity to focus on pitching but wishes her team-mate and friend a speedy recovery!

Ang loves her new BFF “Lola”. The Tom-Tom GPS device she got for Christmas. Makes getting to the tournaments on her own much easier and stress free!

Big TK is back in the job hunt. PA didn’t work out. Mainly due to lack of backbone on managements part. He’s hoping this stint in the world of the un-employed is short lived. (Ang too!)

One Weekend Down – Seven or So to Go

May 8-9, 2010 - 1ST Weekend of Softball/Baseball went great for the Kopp kids!

Lil’ TK’s Royals 12U AA Maroon team went 3-2 and took 3rd in the Blaine Tournament. The team really pulled together to play well. Supported each other and ground out the win when needed. So fun to watch.

Kels’ Peppers 12U Blue team went 4-0 and won Tier 1 of the Moundsview Madness tournament. Despite 3 collisions going for a fly ball in the in-field due to silence (12-13 yr old girls – really?), the team played well…the bats were singing and the pitches were humming. It was a one-day tournament on the 8th which was a really crappy day weather-wise. 3 mini hail storms, freezing wind and rain did nothing to stop the girls though.

Find us on WePlay.com – all of us are on there as members and both teams have their own pages.

Tournament Weekend 1 in the books...

KK and the Mankato Peppers 12U B Team….

Tournament: Mounds View Madness
Record: 4-0
Placed – Tier 1 CHAMPIONS!
http://www.weplay.com/groups/30049-Mankato-Peppers-12U-Blue/public

TK and the Mankato Royals 12U AA Team…
Tournament: Blaine Classic
Record: 3-2
Placed – 3rd out of 8 teams!
http://www.weplay.com/groups/30358-Mankato-Royals-12U-AA-Maroon/public

Schedules

Tyler #8
Mankato Royals 12UAA Maroon
TOURNAMENTS

May 7-10 * Blaine
May 14-16 * Woodbury
June 4-6 * Mason City
June 11-13 * Burnsville
June 25-27 * Mankato

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Kelsey #29
Mankato Peppers 12U Blue
TOURNAMENTS

May 8 * Moundsview
May 15-16 * Wayzata Warm-up
May 22-23 * Rosemount Lady Irish
June 5-6 * Farmington Bobber
June 12-13 * Rosemount Lady Bash
June 18-20 * Mankato Peppers Summer Sizzler
June 26-27 * New Ulm Windmill Classic
July 2-4 * Sioux Falls Ringneck

Passion

by Tyler J. Kopp
3/29/10

Passion is a symbol of life
A symbol that means fierce
Fierce as in the moment when you become a star
When you come out of your shell to see who you really are

Passion means love
The love you get when you do something great
The moment when you fulfill your fate

Passion is eagerness
The eagerness to crush the ball
To do your best and give it your all.

Passion is willingness
Willingness to do anything that you desire
To do the same as the people you admire

Passion is a lot in life
It is everything you think you might
It can mean fierce or desire
Or anything that you require

Freedom

by Tyler J. Kopp

Freedom is when everyone is free
When people get freedom it's called liberty
Freedom is like a time to do what you want
When you are free to go to a restaurant

The bald eagle is a sign of freedom
A symbol for no racism
No one should be a victim
Of a very rare symptom

Free to pull a tantrum
and look like a dum-dum
you also feel numb-numb
Because you are a bum-bum

The star-spangled banner is our anthem
A song that has a good rhythm
A song full of wisdom
A song for our freedom!

Off to the races...

Whew! Tryouts are over and done with for another year.

Well…for softball and baseball at least. Ang was more than stressed but has survived in case anyone was wondering.

Kels is still happy with the team she made for the Mankato Peppers. She is looking forward to the opportunity to earn more playing time and work on her pitching this summer. With a female, non-parent coach and a fresh set of players/parents, Kels is hoping this will be her best season yet.

Lil’ TK made the “AA” Maroon team. He is absolutely ecstatic to have his hero/mentor/idol as a coach – Dean Bowyer. Coach Dean coached the MSU Mavericks for 30 years and has been a wonderful influence for Lil’ TK. Helping to make this an even better deal is having several of his closest friends on the team with him. He is looking forward to working on 2nd base and pitching skills and can’t wait for the season to start.

Ang is trying to get organized for all the tournaments and practices that are looming. It is a daunting task with all the duties she has for MAYBA (Mankato Area Youth Baseball Assoc.) right now but is up for the challenge. With Big TK working retail hours at PA, it will be up to Ang to get the kids to and from where they need to be. It’s never easy but the chaos is all worth it to watch the Kels and Lil’ TK play the sports they love.

God Bless…

Easter Tidings

Lil’ TK is gearing up for baseball tryouts on 4/10 & 4/11. This year it’s AAA or AA for him. Considering the coaches they’ve selected for both levels…he’s a winner either way. Fingers crossed he makes one of the teams…

Kels had tryouts for Peppers March 28th. She had hoped to do well enough to move up and play on the A-level team with some of her best friends this summer. She worked hard during the winter and was really looking tough with the bat and better with the pitching but, unfortunately, she wasn't selected for that upper level team and was placed on the B-level team again for this summer. She is happy with the placement, however, as a couple of her other good friends are on the team and she is hoping she will get a lot of playing time. They’ve already had one practice with some of the pitchers and catchers so everyone seems to be excited to get the season going.

Big TK is enjoying learning the pawn business as a “Coach in Training” at Pawn America. He is working lots of hours and got his first full paycheck this week. Talk about motivation.

Ang will be spring cleaning this weekend in preparation for Easter. Anita is having people over for Easter dinner and since she is cooking…Ang gets to do the cleaning.

The Kopp Crew will be hosting the brother of Alyssa Sandeen the week after Easter. She had a heart transplant when she was like 7 or 8 and now needed a kidney transplant which happened in Rochester on 3/31. Her mother was the donor! Alyssa’s youngest brother and sister are twins and in Kels and Lil’ TK’s school so he will be staying with us while his mom and sister recover. So happy to be able to help this incredible family.

Abby is doing what she does best…being a dog. She is starting to shed like she does every spring and has several white spots showing up. She is loving the warmer weather and has started sleeping in her favorite place, right in front of the patio door with the afternoon sun beating down on her. Oh – the life of a mutt. Lucky Dog.

Happy Easter! Jesus is the reason for the season…well Him and Cadbury Eggs. ;o}

Spring is just around the corner...

Basketball is coming to a close for Lil’ TK. It’s been a rough season with only 1 victory and only 1 tournament left. The boys head to Austin on Sunday for their final tournament. Ang has been praying that they can get one more victory out of the season so he can feel a little better about the season. Looking forward to baseball and Royals tryouts. New bat in hand and ready to make some noise!

Kels is working hard on getting ready for Peppers softball tryouts. Her pitching has been going well considering she hasn’t been able to get private lessons. She has three pitches now…a change, drop and fastball. She is still more concerned with accuracy than speed but seems to be picking up some velocity so here’s hoping she has a good tryout and is able to play with her friends this summer.

Big TK got a job!!! He is in management training (CIT is what they call it – “Coach in Training”) with Pawn America. He had 3 days of training in Fridley and started last week officially training at the Mankato store. He already has ideas for helping the business become more successful and is still excited about the opportunity this position could bring. Ang feels like a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders and is so proud of him!

Snow is slowing melting away as it has been raining the past few days. While it’s great to see spring peeking its head around the corner, the melting snow is revealing just how bad Lil’ TK and Kels were at keeping up with dog poop patrol. The back yard is a mess and it will not be easy to clean it up. Live and Learn! Picking up a little poo in the cold and snow is way better than picking up A LOT of it in the rain and muck!

Happy Spring!

Cabin Fever

It's Winter in Minnesota. As in...it's REALLY winter this year. Lots of snow. School closings. The whole caboodle. Cabin Fever is setting in at the Kopp household. Lil' TK's basketball tournaments help get us out for a day or two on the weekends. The Mankato West White 6th Grade boys won their FIRST game in New Ulm on Saturday. It was so exciting to watch. Then on Sunday, they scored 35 points in one game...more than they have ever scored! They lost the game in OT but it was still a great outing for the little team that could.

Kels is working on getting ready for Peppers Softball tryouts 3/28. Batting seems to be her strong point so far...she is literally knocking them out of the batting cage. Lil' TK has basketball and is also visiting the baseball warehouse to work on fielding, pitching and batting for his Royals Baseball tryouts in April.

Big TK is still diligently looking for full-time employment and playing in Acoustic Incorporated. He's had several successful shows with the group both in the Mankato area and at a little bar in St. Paul called Half Time Rec. He and Matt are putting together a rock band and hope to start practicing soon with a couple new band-mates so they can get gigging. AND he is still playing with the group, Roses and Thorns, which will be performing at the Loose Moose on 2/19. Check out www.myspace.com/acousticincorporated or find them under "Matt Tom" on Facebook for dates. The group is also on Twitter under "Acoustic_Inc".

Ang is just hanging out trying to get/keep everyone organized and where they need to be. She got a job as Assistant Organization Manager with MAYBA (Mankato Baseball) after MAGFA (softball) eliminated her position last fall. In addition to Asst. Org Mgr for MAYBA, Ang will be managing the Single A travel league. Things will get really crazy with MAYBA Fest at the RiverHills Mall March 13th and 14th - it's where over 1000 kids will sign up to play ball this summer. Ang is looking forward to being involved with youth sports again.