The Tillman Family

We made it through our first year back to campus for an entire school year post-COVID!  The kids had to wear masks most of the year, only making them optional around Spring Break time.  There were outbreaks and we missed more school days than we usually would because of COVID-mandated absences (to be safe).  Dad got COVID after Thanksgiving and Hank, Lyla, and Mom got COVID at the beginning of May and we all survived!  The three rolled with the punches yet again and proved that they really are the best kiddos around!

Hank started off the fall on the Orange team, and their team saw a LOT of success.  They won their league and they made it to the semi-finals at the Gold division of state cup.  Hank found his play time as a defender, and he learned a lot about clearing the ball out of the backfield.

After the fall season, Hank was moved Black team and Dustin was asked to be the coach.  They made a lot of progress playing at the Bronze level, with Hank playing almost entire games.  He really had to step up and be a leader and he did such a good job with the responsibility!  The boys had a few tournaments and learned some important skills.  We are looking forward to another fairly new group of boys this fall to play with and Coach Dad at the helm once again.

Lyla continued on the Black team this year, and she made some steady improvements throughout the year. They added quite a few new team members, but once they worked together for a few months they really found their rhythm.  They made it all the way to the Bronze finals for State Cup!  They lost a heartbreaker, but they gave it their all.  As a result, they moved up to the Silver level of play for the Spring.

Spring saw some tougher play but it was needed to push the girls' skill levels.  They went to Las Vegas for a big tournament in the fall (playing Gold/Premier!) and then another tournament in Lake Tahoe (they lost in the finals in another heartbreaker).  We are looking forward to play with 11v11 format this fall.

The boys were excited for the return of the Father/Son campout!  Dad was in charge of the event being the Stake YM President, but he was an excellent delegator and got the event organized ship shape.  Paga came in the morning and made breakfast for everyone.  The boys really like being out in the wild, but really, I think they just like spending time with their Dad.

 Ruby came out for her Spring Break this year while Aunt Shannon was recovering from her brain surgery.  The kids took turns taking days off school to spend with Ruby, and Ruby was really good about tagging along to all the events and activities that the kids already had scheduled.  The kids had to take days off school as a COVID precaution, so everyone got to spend more time with Ruby than they were planning and were super excited about it.  Even better, Ruby never got sick even though the kids had colds. We always loves when she comes to visit and we are excited to see her again this summer!

Lyla, Hank and Jack went to Montana with Maga and Paga for an extended visit with Aunt Shannon, Uncle Dylan, and Ruby.  They always have the best time going to downtown Missoula, exploring the great outdoors, and taking a trip to Nine Mile.  I'm not sure the kids even missing us too much but we are so happy to have them back! 

This summer we took advantage of several wrestling camps in the Bay Area, especially Lyla.  First up, Victoria Anthony came to do a one-day clinic in Castro Valley that Lyla went to.  Secondly, there was a three day camp with Emma Randall and an appearance one day from Jacarra Winchester.  After that the kids thought they were done, but Kendall Cross had a camp and was asking where the kids were, so the three amigos did two half-days with Kendall Cross as well.  Lyla even snuck up to Concord to do a "Girls' Match Night" at the CYC.  I'm proud of the kids for working hard, hanging tough, and trying new things.

This season the kids all got a little more serious about wrestling.  They went to practice twice a week at Kennedy High School with Coach Dad helping out Coach Jay.  Dad felt they were ready enough to start dipping their toes in the water of wrestling tournaments.  Mom was nervous, but she relented.  The kids had such a great season, winning plenty of matches, taking their lumps at times, and everyone took home a first place at least once.  We decided to try the California State Freestyle Wrestling Tournament at the beginning of June in Fresno.  There was some killer competition there, and the kids wrestled tough.  Jack took 6th, Hank took 8th, and Lyla took 2nd.  She ended up taking a trip to the ER to get checked out for a possible arm fracture, but she was all clear.  It was an overall good experience and everyone is game to try it again next year!