This post will mostly be stuff from the last year to catch up with all our "goings on". Pictures are in no particular or chronological order, but are from the last year or so.

First is a picture of Helen. She was my guest at the 4th of July Freedom Celebration at BYU Stadium. Soldiers and their families were invited for the Fireworks spectacular and Hanna Montana concert. We got to be on the field, and had a great view. We were so close to the stage that firework debris was landing on us during the show.



Next is a picture of me addressing my Battalion during my assumption of command ceremony last year. This is up in Helena Montana, at the big training site up there. Being a battalion commander a lot of work, but a really fun experience.




After the battalion command, I went back into a staff position at the area headquarters. The most exciting thing we have done is go over to the middle east. Some of us went on a special trip to Jordan. We went to a Jordanian army base outside of Amman to learn about dealing with Arabic issues/culture. While there, we were confined to the post for safety/security reasons (the Jordanians didn't want their own people to know American troops were there). At one point, myself and another colonel went up one of the guard towers to get a better look around. The sentries let us take our pictures with them. Note the scenic terrain in the background.



Here is a picture of me with one of the Jordanian instructors in his "civilian" outfit.



Next up are some pictures of Bonnie. First is her at her IDRS (International Double Reed Society) recital at BYU. Oboe players from around the world had their annual conference at BYU, and Bonnie was invited to play again.



Here is Bonnie and her good friend, and fellow Orchestra at Temple Square musician, Tamara Oswald. The strange "small world" thing is that Tamara is also the daughter of my mission president, and I actually knew her in Switzerland in the 1980's.


In writing this blog, it has become appearant to me that we do not take enough pictures at "fun" outings. Here is a picture of Bonnie and I at the NBA semi-finals game that Bonnie got us tickets to here in Salt Lake. The Jazz were playing the Lakers for a spot in the finals. It was not very close till the very end, then it was a real nail biter, so it was pretty exciting.


I like to make all my co-workers jealous by telling them what a big football fan Bonnie is. I tell them how Bonnie forces me to watch at least 3 games a week and that she encouraged us last year to buy a big screen TV so that we could see the playoffs on a bigger screen. They are always jealous.

Now on to the Helen pictures. First up is a picture of her with her uncles last year at Brian's house for Christmas, where Helen got hooked playing Guitar Hero. Her she is in a contest with Uncle Brian while Uncle Brent looks on.


In the early spring, Helen and I went on a Daddy-Daughter field trip out to the giant copper mine out on the west side of the valley. Its the biggest mine in the world. you can't even see the bottom in this picture.


This year Helen begged us to be able to join a track team. She really does well at long distance running. We found a program for her with the county's recreation dept., and she would go on meets held at High Schools around the valley. In this picture, she is in a sprint. She got a lot of ribbons, but for longer races, and the shot put (of all things).


While at the track meet, a "special friend" of Helen's showed up. His name is Nick V. His brother was also in the track program. He spent the whole meet following Helen around.


Here is the picture of Helen and him "just talking". This is all starting to happen way too fast for Dad. Just in case, there are plans to have Nick see me in uniform and handling weapons.



Well, that should bring you up to date on the Schroeders. I think I will just add new stuff from now on.

Jen uses this software for their family blog, so I figured I could just copy her to upload pictures and videos to show what we are up to too.

I am just going to start with the last month or so, just so I get used to the software and stuff.
Anyway, this is from our last vacation. Helen is starting to look at career options.

Here is Helen and I at Disneyworld. Helen drove the car around the track. While driving she told me "Wow, this is really hard. You and Mom must really know what your doing when you drive!" Helen will be scheduled for lessons when she turns 21.


Next is Helen and I at Seaworld (Bonnie is taking all the pictures). Bonnie really loves this T-Shirt I like to wear that shows all the Swiss Cantons (NOT).


Next is a picture of Bonnie and Helen as we got ready for a real family adventure. More on this a bit later.


Our good friends from across the street, the Riggs, met us at Disneyworld. Their kids are twins, Owen and Una. They are about Helen's age. The picture gives you a good idea of Helen's "height advantage". Anyway, it was a lot of fun to do Disneyworld with friends, especially as Helen didn't always have to do Boring adult stuff.



Next up is a picture of me next to a B-26. We found this air museum outside of Orlando and it was great! The B-26 is an aircraft my father worked on in WW2. It was his favorite. This is probably the only air worthy B-26 in the world! We were really lucky to visit on a day when the aircraft were parked outside and not in the hanger.


Here is the first picture from our Family Air Adventure. More to follow.



Here is a video of the Family Flying Adventure that I made from the video clips I took on the camera.





Here is a video I made of the place we stay at. We bought flexible vacation property with Hilton Grand Vacation Club. Next year we will stay in a similar place in Hawaii for two weeks!




Next up, some recent pictures from Home!

First is Bonnie, doing what she loves best, playing the Oboe.


Next is a picture promised to Grandma of Helen posing with one of her new stuffed animals.


Now, more on the family's latest edition, our dog Shadow. He is a pedigreed Standard Poodle and is now about 10 months old. Helen did all of the pre-dog requirements we could think of (like walking a pretend dog for 3 times a day for 3 weeks without being reminded), so we got a dog. He is adorable.



Still Photos, don't really do him justice, so I made a little video of him. He is Helen's constant companion. When he is not with her, he just mopes around and cries a lot.





OK, well, that's it for now. I'll try to add a few things each week to catch up.