Part III

When you are in Arroyo Grande, you are close to a variety of places to visit as well as revisit. Think of Arroyo Grande as your home base!

This morning was typical; breakfast, clean up and either biking or tennis.

It’s tennis today at Avila Bay Athletic Club.

For us, we naturally had to stop in and visit our favorite barista at Andreini’s.

I always enjoy looking up the street with people enjoying the sun, with their coffee and cafe treats. It calls you to wander and relax and possibly buy a trinket along the way.

I thought you might enjoy a photo of the Andreini family. I believe this photo was from the year they opened the cafe.

They always encourage hanging around the bar area while waiting for your beverage. Well, at least this particular barista does!

We have our americano’s and are ready for the drive to So Cal.

Such a familiar drive; reminds us of so many past times.

State Street in Santa Barbara, is a great place to visit! Lots of eateries, boutique’s and shops. Is great fun and has wonderful memories.

If you have time, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a must visit. It is a smaller zoo but has all of the important animals! It is very walkable and has a train you can ride around the perimeter. I wonder if the same turtle and aardvark are still there?

Popsey’s parents used to stay in Santa Barbara every year for a weekly vacation. They stayed in a hotel right across from the ocean and next to the restaurant ‘Sambo’s.’

Good to see the palm trees. For us, a little variety from evergreens! Loving the ocean too.

Driving, driving, driving……..

Arriving in Valencia at the Hyatt. It is the same one we all stayed at last Thanksgiving. It is wonderfully located across from the mall and down the street from Whole Foods and great coffee (not at Whole Foods FYI).

From Valencia, we hop on the freeway through the Newhall Pass…….

Arriving at Grace Community Church. It is great to be able to be on campus again and particularly for Philip Zachavich’s wedding! We have known the families for several decades and love them.

I think I will take you on a little tour of the campus. They have added and changed quite a bit over the last 10 years. You can also see a lot of the beautiful wedding preparations.

The tables are placed all around the patios.

The Office Center, at least on the outside, looks the same. I remember when they put in the fancy sliding doors. They were quite amazing!

The tables are set very tastefully with little cards and small sprigs of olive branches.

I used to love going in to the book store! So many choices!!

They have included little benches and cushions around this patio tree area. It is very inviting!

Who remembers getting dropped off in these nursery rooms?

Behind the Welcome Center, there is now a lovely patio area with tables and umbrellas; the vines intertwine with the wall behind. It is very peaceful.

They have now included gates at the front side of the Worship Center.

And… another expansion on the East side of the Welcome Center. It is inviting how they have added so many nooks and crannies to sit, talk and relax.

Outside the Chapel~

The Family Center~

There is a new entrance area to the Children’s Area. It looks really fun!

And…what everyone always wanted, the Grace Grill! They also have a Cafe where you are able to get different coffee’s and snacks.

I think they added this plaque and Bible verse since we were there.

Later they brought the flowers from the Worship Center and placed them over the little love seat area. Diane Roher was in charge of getting those all settled.

Because Angelina grew up in Israel, they combined American, Israeli and Ukrainian traditions; hence the canopy.

Dr. Nate Busnitz officiated the ceremony.

There were lots of family photos after the wedding, with several of their family coming from Ukraine, Russia and across the United States. It was so good to reconnect with several of them!!

Look who we found wedding crashing! Along with Dad reviewing his lyrics for his solo during the introduction of Philip and Angelina.

A little conversation with the wedding crashers husband, Walt.

You just can’t resist playing and running with your friends even if you have on a very fancy flower girl dress!

They look deep in thought?

I love this photo! It incorporates so much history, heartache, trials, joy, love and the guiding and protecting had of the Lord. A pictorial representation of the providence and love of God.