Tyler has always had a passion for curling. What is curling? Allow me to quote from a wikipedia article found here.

Curling is a team sport with similarities to bowls and bocce, played on a rectangular sheet of carefully prepared ice by two teams of four players each. Teams alternate turns at sliding heavy, polished granite stones down the ice towards the target area called the house. Two sweepers with brooms accompany each rock and use timing equipment and their best judgement along with direction from their other teammates to help direct the stones to their resting place. The complex nature of stone placement and shot selection has led some to refer to curling as “chess on ice”.

Here is a short clip of Tyler practicing on his “summer sheet” and summer uniform.

Even though Tyler had a practice facility and support from his parents to follow his curling aspirations all was not well in Tylerland. Two things were thwarting his efforts. First, no curling team would take him because of his diminutive stature and lack of experience. Second, pretty much the only place where curling is played here in the US is northern Minnesota, too far away from southeastern PA.

What to do?

After some time, a plan formed in Tyler’s mind. He would recruit his family and form his own curling team. He would show those snooty Minnesotans. One hurdle still remained – a curling team consists of four players and there were only 3 of us.

What to do? What to do?

There simply had to be more Bernals. Tyler and Maria entered into intense negotiations to decide who would be responsible for recruiting.

In the end, Maria got the job. Tyler suspects it had something to do with Maria being able to speak in full sentences.