And they are off...

Lil' TK and Kels headed out to camp on Saturday night. 17 hr bus ride to paradise.

http://crookedcreek.younglife.org/Pages/default.aspx

Ang joked with them that they weren't camping as much as they were "glamping". Pool, hot tub, horses, lakes, mountains and lots and lots of potential new friends. They won't have buffet lines to shuffle through...they get served "family style" at their tables. Each "cabin" (group of 6-8 girls or boys) gets their own bathrooms.

The group leader has a blog that he updates so Ang and Big TK can keep up with the camp as much as possible. http://katoyl.blogspot.com/2013/07/we-have-arrived.html

The Dittos had to surrender their phones upon arrival.

One week without Twitter, Snapchat, texting and internet.

How will they survive?

Ang and Big TK think quite well.

*´¨)¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Royals Baseball

The summer baseball season ended rather abruptly thanks to the crazy Minnesota weather. The Royals 15AAA Gold team entered the MBT State Baseball Tournament ranked 13th. Beautiful day for baseball on Friday, July 12th. The team dropped their first pool game to Eastview 3-0 in the morning but came back to win 10-0 against Oakdale in the afternoon. The final pool game was scheduled for Saturday morning. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans and sent a deluge of rain storms. The game was pushed back 2 hours, then 4 hours...and finally the tournament decided to cancel the final pool game and use the first two games only to determine bracket play. Lil' TK and the Royals were done were the summer.

 

  

But before the end of the season, Ang was able to capture this shot of the team getting their "GQ"on. Take that, Mother Nature...

*´¨)¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•' 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.

*´¨)¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Confirmation

 May 5, 2013. Kels and Lil' TK took a huge step in their faith journey and were confirmed. Kels helped deliver the opening welcome message and Lil' TK delivered a moving student reflection speech.

Family and Friends helped the Crew celebrate the special day.

 An extra special guest was Great Gramma Clara - who made the trip from Redwood Falls with Great Aunt Jane. It was a wonderful day.

Kels' verse: John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Lil' TK's verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 

*´¨)¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Can I borrow the car?

Another milestone has been achieved at the Kopp Shack. Kels and Lil' TK have their driving permits!

Ang found a few more gray hairs.
Big TK is excited to take them both driving around the Kato.

December (and 16th Birthdays!) will be here before ya know it.

*´¨)¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•' 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.

*´¨)¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love

Winter Sports 2012-2013

Lil' TK started wrestling for the Scarlets. He's been mainly on the JV team but moves up to Varsity when needed. He had a great tournament in Redwood Falls going 4-1 and is really enjoying the season.

Ang has been taking a lot of photos at the wrestling meets. There are some meets it seems she takes more pics of the rest of the team than of Lil' TK! But the all the boys appreciate the photos so Ang will just keep snappin' away and try her best to focus on her own child.

Check out the team photo site at: http://westscarlets.shutterfly.com/

*´¨)¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•' Peace and Love