The Von Kopp Family Singers

Kels and Lil' TK performed in their Pops Concert on May 24th. The theme was "Glee-k" and everyone in the choir got t-shirts. It's fun to see the kids perform in something other than sports. Now to get them over their stage fright and show off the pipes they inherited from Big TK!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Finally Warmer Weather!

The weather has been somewhat of a challenge here in beautiful Minnesota.  A lot of baseball and softball games were cancelled, postponed, rescheduled or played in weather not fit for man nor beast. Big TK and Ang were so excited to see the kids playing for the Mankato West Scarlets this year. Here are some the memories Ang was able to capture.

 And of course we can't forget Miss Abby Lou - who is loving the green grass and spring-like weather that FINALLY made it our way.

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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

No Dumb-Bells

After an interesting couple of weeks of temporary insanity due to cabin fever and 13yearoldism...Kels and Lil' TK forgot the fighting and dumb-bell throwing (yes, a dumb-bell was really used as a projectile flying object/weapon - it was not pretty) to hang out like the great kids they are.

They even took this awesome pic - without Ang asking or even knowing about it!

There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. ;o)

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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

All Done!

Basketball has come to an end for both Lil' TK and Kels.

Lil' TK and the West White team had another tough season but got a win in the very last game to bring home 3rd place medals. It was a nice way to end the season!

Kels and the West Red Girls lost a heartbreaker at Grade State and ended up taking 5th in the 7AAA division. She got a basket and a free throw in one game and had a great time with her friends in the hotel. Mankato teams ended up placing 2nd and 5th in that division of State so overall it was a good weekend for Kato!

Next up for the Kopp Crew is registration for baseball and softball - both school and traveling teams. The snow on the ground makes it hard to imagine summer sports are just around the corner - but indeed they are!!

Big TK is playing around the area with Acoustic Inc. and has also formed a new yet-to-be-named band. The new band will feature electric guitars, bass and drummer. The 3 guys from AI (Big TK, Matt and Jerry) are busy learning songs with with the newly acquired drummer. Big TK is also working temporarily part-time for a friend who owns a business copier place in North Kato. With gas prices being so high, it's nice he doesn't have to travel.

Kels had oral surgery on the 11th to remove 5 teeth...one an impacted tooth growing sideways up under her nose. She did great but will be spending a low-key weekend recovering.

Cabin fever is in full force but getting out the Mexican Village for Big TK's birthday helped a bit. It was a family event with the Casio's and Hummer's joining in as well as Gramma Nita. And of course, the mandatory Sombrero picture - Happy Birthday, Have a Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Have a Happy Day - Ole!

 

The Crew is looking forward to warmer weather and the disappearance of the snow.

Until then....

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

and still MORE basketball...

Kels and the 7th Grade West Red team have been improving and winning tournaments. Click the blog title to watch the Championship game at the Coon Rapids tournament which was played the end of January.

The team got trophies for each player, a bigger trophy for the coach and pink championship shirts with "We're so good, YOUR mom cheers for us!" on the back. It was a great weekend...the girls worked hard.

Lil' TK sprained his ankle at school basketball practice and has been out of commission for the last week. A visit to the Athletic Trainer at West High School helped to get a therapy program in place so that he can rejoin his school and traveling basketball teams as well as get ready for Royals baseball tryouts.

Big TK and Acoustic Inc. have been out and about entertaining bar patrons with their fun and light acoustic show.

Lil' TK and Kels turned 13 at the end of December. The most exciting part? They could put their real age on Facebook! In addition to all the sports programs they are involved in, they are both doing well in school and seem to enjoy participating in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) with some of their fellow classmates/team-mates.

The winter in Minnesota is reminding us all that it is definitely in charge. Supposedly the Groundhog did not see his shadow and spring is just around the corner....but considering how much snow is out there, it will take until the 4th of July for it all to melt! There is concern that flooding will be an issue when all the white stuff does start melting. Fingers crossed that preparations are in place to keep the damage to as minimal as possible.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love