Happy Retirement ~ Papa!

My Papa (dad) is retiring this year from 36 years of teaching at Carus Elementary School in Canby, OR. A truly amazing and inspiring accomplishment. This past weekend our family came together to surprise him at his last school assembly, where he was being honored. The principal put together a small tribute with the help of some teachers. It was a very emotional event for all of us. Highlights included surprising him in the middle of the assembly, having Aaden run up in front of 100s of kids and sit with his Papa and having a classroom named in my father's honor.

After school the community held a reception for him where over 100+ people from former students, school board members and families joined in celebrating his accomplishments. A truly awe inspiring time, there is no one more deserving than my Papa as he has touched literally thousands of lives for the better!

Unfortunately I forgot my camera at home so I've taken a few of my mom's pictures.

 Aaden surprising his Papa!

 The plaque that will hang outside the newly named Bartsch Science Room

The Bartsch (Dobelstein) Kids. 

Note: my shirt is a vintage original from my dad's school band from the 80's (The Tra-La-Las played many a school talent show and was comprised of all male teachers)

The remainder of the weekend was spent outside in the 85+ degree weather. We enjoyed making homemade ice cream, doing yard work, barbecuing and having my grandparents over for dinner. Aaden LOVED that his Nana refurbished an old table top-train set from the church preschool.