RIP Abby Lou

With heavy hearts and tears glistening in their eyes, the Kopp Crew had to say goodbye to their sweet, loving, patient and beautiful Abby Lou. A large tumor on her spleen and failing kidneys transformed her into a skin-and-bones, lethargic, sad version of herself. She was a trooper, always trying to please and love despite her pain. The Crew miss her terribly but know she is in a better place, having deep conversations and massages with Papa Dick amongst the angels.

Rest in Peace. 

Abby Lou 

8/11/04 - 12/26/14

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Abby Lou

Abby is often forgotten and not given the attention she deserves. But throughout her 10 years with the Crew, she has learned to be patient and forgiving...as well as photogenic. Ang uses her a lot to play with settings on her camera or work on pet posing. Abby, as usual, takes it with her usual smiley disposition.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Spring Showers Bring...Make Up Games

Kels and Lil' TK started softball and baseball in March. Or at least attempted to. The most annoying spring in MN history prevented outdoor practice and caused most of the early games to be rescheduled as double headers later in the spring in hopes that the weather would finally cooperate.

Kels made the Mankato West Scarlets JV team this year and was excited to play at a little higher level. At one point, however, they played 5 double headers in one week to make up games from the weather. It all paid off though as she was asked to suit up with the Varsity team for conference, sections and state games. The team won the Big 9 Conference Championship to start off the playoff season. Kels was put in to run in the 5th inning with the score at 12-3. She stole 2nd and 3rd and then scored on a great hit by her teammate to end the game under the 10 run rule. She was surprised by the rest of the team coming to home plate, cheering and congratulating her...thinking maybe the team mate had hit a home run. When she realized what she had been a part of it, she beamed, Ang finally exhaled and the entire Scarlet Nation went nuts!

 Lil' TK and the Mankato West Scarlets C-Squad team has won more than they lost and seem to have a really good time playing the game they love together. Lil' TK plays 2nd base and bats high in the order because he's been hitting well and can zip around the bases in a flash. Where he got that speed, Ang and Big TK have no idea but it's fun to watch.

 Next up for the Kopp Crew...The last day of school. It's obvious cabin fever is setting in. With the weather being what's it's been, everyone is hoping the start of June brings warm, summer type weather finally. Until then, it's traveling baseball with Lil' TK, league volleyball with Kels and same ol', same ol' for Big TK and Ang. And Abby...well, she'll just have to keep putting up with it all.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Wrestling Season

Wrestling season has come to an end for Lil' TK. He finished the season with a 3-18 record. Which is 2 wins better than last year...so improvement! He was able to participate in both the team and individual sections tournament at the varsity level as well. It was a great experience for him. The best part was the team and family camaraderie.

Kels took the winter off (she really doesn't like basketball) and found she loves watching hockey. The boys high school team is on a winning streak heading into playoffs and sections with hopes of making it to state this year.

Big TK has been active with church playing in the contemporary band on Sundays and as a confirmation guide for a small group of boys. Ang is also a confirmation guide and is helping get the Dittos ready for confirmation this May! Seems like just yesterday, they were getting baptized at the same church. Time does fly.

Abby is as patient as ever and puts up with all the chaos like any dog would...sleeping on her comfy chaise lounger in the living room. She's even gotten to the point where she can block everyone out and snore away...when she was younger, she wouldn't close her eyes if someone was in the same room as her. Oh, the life of our lovable mutt.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Band Concert

Ang got a new camera. The camera she's been wanting and waiting for for a really long time.
Here's some pics from Kels' March band concert and a few of Miss Abby Lou taken with the new Nikon 5100.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Winding Down

It's hard to believe the baseball and softball seasons are coming to an end already. The weather here in Minnesota this summer may have had something to do with that. From rainy and cold to stifling hot in a matter of days each week...it's been hard to find that summer groove.

Lil' TK and the Mankato Royals 13AA Maroon team will be playing their season ending MBT State Tournament this weekend. Coming off the high of the 1st place win in Edina, the boys had a rough weekend in Rochester. Some good practices and some time to reflect will help them get ready for State in Lakeville.

Kels and the Mankato Peppers 14U Blue team found their groove thing at the MMFL Qualifier Tournament in Farmington last weekend to earn a 1st Tier 4th seed placement in the State Tournament this weekend which will be in Forest Lake. Coming off injury to her left foot, Kels came back with a vengeance to strike out the final batter with bases loaded and win the game that propelled them further into the championship bracket at the Qualifier. The team ended up taking 3rd but played some great softball on a long, hot weekend.


Big TK added working for MAYBA as a Gambling Auditor to his list of activities each day. Ang is still with The Occasions Group. One of the companies that is part of TOG, Carlson Craft, has launched a new program called The Celebration Nation. Sounds pretty neat. Check it out (there are even money-making opportunities for stay at home moms and anyone who likes to celebrate life's events!)

http://www.TheCelebrationNation.com
http://TheCelebrationNation.blogspot.com

Abby is not digging all the loud storms and hot, sticky weather. Nor did she enjoy the roof being replaced and the driveway being fixed. All that's left to do that will be loud and have strange people bugging her is the new siding that will be installed soon. She sure does love her walks with Ang though so maybe the Crew can appease her with lots and lots of walks!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Spring 2011

Baseball tryouts are over and Lil’ TK made the Maroon “AA” team. He was happy to learn he made this team as it is coached by his mentor and favorite coach, Dean Bowyer. Lil' TK also started practice with the West 7th Grade Scarlets Baseball team. He made the "A" Squad and will playing his first game with that team on April 14th in Waseca. He is starting pitcher - which he hasn't done for awhile but seems to be getting back into. His favorite positions are SS and LF.

Warmer weather has finally made its way to beautiful North Mankato. Ang and Big TK got the siding and roofing replacement from last summer’s hail storms scheduled for this summer. The little shack is going to look totally different and there is some work to be done on the front doors and framing to match the new look that the Casa d’ Kopp Crew will be sporting.

The garden plots need some serious attention as well. The big snow storm hit before Ang got the mum plants trimmed down. Hopefully they are not destroyed because they really looked gorgeous last fall, all in bloom. Too bad Ang didn’t take some pictures…they were quite a sight.

Kels and the West C Squad Softball team won their first game of the season 13-2 against cross-town rival, the Mankato East Cougars. Kels played 3rd base for the whole game and brought in 2 runs with an RBI hit to right field in her first at bat. Their 2nd game, Kels was the starting pitcher and in her first inning was able to strike out the first batter, then caught a line drive from the 3rd batter, turned to catch the runner at 1st who did not tag up and ended up getting all 3 outs on her own. What a game! The Scarlets won that one 19-4 vs an ill-prepared Albert Lea squad.

Abby is loving the nicer weather…she is able to once again chase tennis balls in the back yard and stretch her legs. She still does not like the thunder/lightning storms that the spring brings. When storms hit, she has to run around the house and check on each family member to make sure everyone is ok. Crazy mutt!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Spring is just around the corner....

The Crew survived another MAYBA Fest the 2nd weekend in March. MAYBA stands for Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association and is the organization that both Ang and Big TK are a part of. Ang is Assistant Organization Manager and Big TK is on the Board of Directors. The organization oversees the youth community baseball program in the summer for kids in the school district. MAYBA Fest is the big registration weekend and the whole family gets involved. Ang and Big TK help with set up, tear down and taking registrations while Lil' TK and Kels help out in the Subway Snack Tent handing out small sub sandwiches and pop for those who sign up to play baseball. It's a hectic, long weekend but it's worth it when you see the excited faces of the little kids who can't wait to play ball.

Kels and Lil' TK are all signed up for spring and summer ball. Kels will be playing for West High School on the C Squad team. The whole Crew is so excited for her and this opportunity! Kels admitted she's still a little in shock that she made the team as a 7th grader but is excited to start practicing right away and get back into softball.

Lil' TK will be playing for West on the 7th grade baseball team. Baseball doesn't offer the boys the opportunity to tryout for moving up so he will get to play ball with some friends he hasn't had a chance to for awhile and is really looking forward to it. Practices start April 4th so here's hoping the snow disappears and the flooding that is predicted does not ruin the fields in town.

In addition to school baseball/softball, both kids will be playing on traveling teams again this summer.

Kels tried out last August for the Peppers again and made the 14U "B" team. She will be pitching and playing with a couple of her good friends and is anxious to get started. She won't have to wait long as the team's first tournament is May 21st in St. Peter.

Lil' TK will be trying for a Royals AAA, AA or A level team in April. He's made AA since 10yrs old and has grown so much stronger throughout this year that he is hoping to make at least AA again this year. He can't lose...A means he gets to play traveling baseball, AA has his idol/mentor for a coach - Coach Dean Bowyer - and AAA will mean playing at the highest level possible.

It's easy to see that Abby appreciates the warmer weather and sunshine. The sun again shines on "her spot" in the dining room and most afternoons you can find her laying there taking a snooze. Warmer weather means more walks, more time outside and she is always rearing to go when she hears either "Walk?" or "Outside!"
She is hoping Ang gets off her lazy butt and starts taking her on some nice long walks soon. Ang is thinking she's gonna need to spend the next week cleaning the winter's accumulation of poo out of the back yard. The more the snow melts...the more it reveals. *sigh*

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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

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

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}