Jeff and Denise Neigel along with their two daughters Karlie and
Lyndsy, invited Brad, Beth, Savanna and Ali to join them for a
skiing trip to the NC mountains. Neither Savanna nor Ali
had ever skied before, but they still had a wonderful time in
the snow.
The slopes at Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk, NC
Now which one is Savanna and which one is Ali?
Even more important, who is that sitting on her "butt" after a
fall?
Savanna, Ali, and their parents attend Covenant Bible Church in
Lincolnton, NC - as do their maternal grandparents. Beit
Yeshua (a Messianic Jewish-Roots group at Covenant) hosts a
Pesach/Passover Seder at the church annually. Brad, Beth,
Savanna and Ali are always there. Ali's grandfather,
Curtis Loftin, co-leads Beit Yeshua.
Curtis works with last-minute preparations at the
low-seating tables
Shofarot are sounded at the start of the meeting -
Brad sitting on left side of photo
Curtis talks to the 200+ guests and invites everyone to
join in with the Israeli Folk Dance
Brad, Beth & Savanna sitting behind him
Praise & Worship, along with Israeli Folk Dance, is always
part of the Passover experience
The dancers lift up praise to the LORD -
Beth & Brad are at the top right side of this photo
Curtis Loftin & Doug Williams co-lead Beit Yeshua and the
annual Pesach Seder
The Loftin and Seese Families went to the N.C. Zoo in
Asheboro, NC, on 02 May 2015.
It had been years since any of us had been there - and it was
the first trip for Kayli.
Savanna, Kayli & Ali get ready to head
into the African Safari
followed by the North American Safari later in the day
Learning where the animals come from in
Africa
And off they go - We were fortunate
enough to have our own personal "tour guide", Brad
Stopping to get a photo of the group
(On Top of the Rock) Savanna and Alexandria
(In Front of the Rock) Brad, Beth, Leslie holding Kayli, Carolyn
and Philip
(Curtis: Photographer)
The Lions take a nap in the morning sun
Kayli checks out one of the many animal sculptures around
the zoo
Savanna poses with Kayli while she sits astride a small
sculpted elephant
near the elephant exhibit
Everyone always like the elephants
Savanna checks out the elephants
Ali gets a ride from Dad
The Seese Family - Savanna, Brad & Ali, Beth
(Left to Right) Even Savanna got a lift
from Dad; (Right) Carolyn discusses where the group
wants to go next
Stopping to look at the giraffes
Giraffes & Zebras
Pausing for a closer look and a photo by
Poppi
The Babboons ... and Chimpanzees
To See a Short Video of a Chimpanzee Swinging from a Rope -
CLICK HERE - or Below
Philip & Brad had as much fun with the
sculpted animals as Kayli did
No - No one fell in - Everyone just
stopped to look at all the turtles in the lake
One last photo of the family
The animals were fun, but the best part of the
day was being with family
Ali's Great-Grandmother
Willie Goble Loftin (age 89)
was recognized as being the oldest
family member present
(Left) Willie & Kayli Loftin; (Right) Kayli with her mother,
Leslie
(Left) Savanna with cousin Kayli;
(Right) Kayli and Leslie
Because Kayli enjoyed the play set at Catawba so much, her
parents decided to invest in one for home.
The Loftin & Seese families were invited over during Memorial
Day weekend to help with the construction.
The playset was constructed near Kayli's playhouse and the
family swing
Nonni helps everyone get materials laid out
Ali & Savanna played with Kayli while the adults worked
on the construction
(Left) Uncle Philip lets his daughter Kayli try out the newly-constructed
slide
(Right) Beth hands supplies to the men
Taking a break as the construction continues
Philip and Leslie provided lunch and dinner during the two-day
project
Savanna, Brad and Alexandria sit at the portable picnic
table that Brad brought with him
Savanna swings Kayli on one of the new swings
Poppi/Curtis took most of the photos of the playset
construction
To See the Video Where Kayli Thanks the Family for
Constructing her Play set CLICK HERE
As cell phone cameras became more and more improved, "Selfies"
became a common term for photos taken of yourself
with the
camera on your cell phone. Savanna had lots of these.
Savanna grew into a real beauty - but I don't think she
ever realized it
Savanna turned 15 in April and shortly thereafter got her
driver's permit
Savanna and Nathan spent lots of time together over the
summer of 2015
"Selfie" Rules to Savanna from Poppi
1. Be sure to take LOTS of "Selfies"
so "I" have more to choose from
2. Always have your Mom to serve as look-out
especially if you're trying to sneak a "Selfie" of someone else
3. You can even take "Selfies" at the pool
but it's always nicer if you have a friend to share the
experience with
4. It's OK to take a few FUNNY FACE "Selfies"
5. Just be sure to get some good ones, too
6. Be sure to post them on Facebook so I can get copies
and add them to my website
Ali & Savanna joined the other youth from Covenant Bible Church
for a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, in July of 2015. The
hardest part of the trip for the girls was giving up their cell
phones for several days. Aaron Grooms is the Youth Pastor
at Covenant.
The girls are in the middle-right part of this photo
toward the top - can you find them?
Poppi (Curtis Loftin) decided that he hadn't taken many photos
of Alexandria & Savanna lately and decided to take some on
Sunday, 26 Jul 2015, when the Seese Family came over to his
house after church.
Alexandria & Savanna
Alexandria & Savanna with Beth
Alexandria & Savanna with their maternal grandfather,
Curtis Loftin
Savanna / Vanna
(Depending on who you're talking to)
Savanna checking out a black butterfly on the ground
Savanna, You were the "first" - the first
granddaughter - and I was (and still am) so proud of you.
Spending time with you always bring joy and happiness into my
life. You have no idea just how special you are. May you always follow the LORD and seek His
direction for every choice in your life. May you always
have a close and personal relationship with Yeshua/Jesus - He's
the only true source of joy and happiness. I love you and
always will.
Poppi