When you meet CJ and Kayla Sillman, it is easy to see that family and community are at the heart of everything they do. Along with their three-year-old son, Hampton, and their Sheepadoodle, Mookie, the Sillmans have found their perfect place to grow roots in Lake Forest. “We moved here in June 2024,” Kayla said. “CJ being from Louisville always knew he wanted to live in Lake Forest. It is such a well-kept, kid-friendly neighborhood. After having our son, the doors opened for the perfect home here in LF and for our son to attend CAL.”

Their court, as Kayla describes it, is full of life and laughter. “Our court is full of all boys. We could not think of a better place to raise a family,” she said. “We have campfires, baseball games, a quick round of Horse, and endless snacks. We could not be more grateful.” Hampton, who attends Christian Academy of Louisville’s Junior Academy, is often the first to greet neighbors. “He is always yelling 'hey' to everyone who walks by,” Kayla laughed. “You will never pass by our house and not see Hampton outside with a glove on his hand and one of us or the court boys playing baseball with him.” Hampton recently finished his first t-ball season, and he never missed a base by always sliding. He also plays soccer at school through Soccer Shots since he learned how to walk. They credit soccer for teaching him a lot of foundational, gross motor skills that carry over from day-to-day.

The family’s beloved dog, Mookie, is never far from the action. CJ being a huge Boston Red Sox fan, the dog was named after player Mookie Betts. Funny enough, no shorter than three months later, Mookie Betts was traded to the Dodgers. Mookie is the biggest teddy bear who has no idea how big he truly is. He loves daycare, chasing squirrels, and sunbathing.

CJ and Kayla were high school sweethearts who met at Ballard High School after Kayla moved to Louisville from Gulfport, Mississippi. “This cute football player was in a lot of my classes, and the rest is history,” she said. “To this day, we have a very close friend group because we are all high school sweethearts from Ballard. It is rare and so sweet to watch decades of friendship and love unfold.” 

Both proud graduates of the University of Louisville, CJ and Kayla have built meaningful careers close to home. CJ works as an External Annuity Wholesaler for an insurance company based in Iowa. Although he once imagined himself becoming a police officer, he found early success in sales and has thrived in the corporate world. Kayla earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Spalding University and now owns Early Bloom Pediatric Therapy, a community-based practice she launched in June 2025. She serves children from birth to 18 years old, providing therapy in their natural environments. “It’s been such a fun journey,” she shared. “I get to meet new families and play all day, every day.”

The Sillmans have created several family traditions that reflect their love for adventure and connection. As a baseball-loving family, they try to visit a ballpark every year, though the tradition has become a bit pricier now that Hampton insists on getting a jersey at every stop!  Each Thanksgiving, they travel to Mississippi to spend time with Kayla’s family, enjoying seafood stuffing, crab legs, and plenty of outdoor time on her family’s 40-acre farm. Wherever they go, the family collects Christmas ornaments that symbolize their trips. Over the years, their growing collection has become enough to decorate an entire tree, filling their holidays with memories of past adventures.

When they’re home, the Sillmans love sharing meals together and trying local favorites. They often stop by Fiesta Time, Carlos, or Gander — where they claim to have found the best chips and queso in town. Impellizzeri’s and Graeter’s are regular stops, too, especially for a scoop of s’mores ice cream. For date nights, CJ and Kayla enjoy Steak & Bourbon, Selena’s at Willow Lake Tavern, and Guacamole.

Each year, the family looks forward to their annual trip to Hilton Head Island, a tradition that began when Hampton was a baby. They love biking around the island, visiting favorite food spots, and exploring the local parks and kid-friendly activities. While Hilton Head will always have their hearts, Michigan and Baha Mar have also been standout destinations for the family.

Faith and community are a big part of the Sillmans’ lives. They are active members of Northeast Christian Church, where they participate in outreach programs through Love the 'Ville, especially the School Blitz initiative. Kayla also partners with local organizations through her work and supports nonprofits like FEAT Louisville, which provides resources for families affected by autism.

More than anything, the Sillmans are grateful for the sense of belonging they’ve found in Lake Forest. Their court, filled with young boys who have become like brothers to Hampton, is exactly what they prayed for before moving. “We couldn’t have asked for better neighbors,” Kayla said. “Although Hamp is an only child for now, he has six brothers who love him like their own. We could not be more thankful to call this place home.”