2006 Holiday Greetings

Welcome to the 16^th annual edition of the Arnold-McKnight Holiday tell-it-all. This year, we moved back to Colorado Springs – AGAIN! We did not keep the house we bought the first time we moved here but have rented a very nice home that has a guest room ready for visitors. Make your reservations now before we move again in summer 2008 (maybe).

We miss living in DC close to family but it is fun to be close to friends who still live in Colorado. The weather here takes some getting used to – 70 degrees one day and 30 the next. We have already had a blizzard and in case you are keeping score, yes, we did live here in 1997 the last time there was a Colorado Springs blizzard. The kids loved it this time and since everything was cancelled we didn’t have to drive around in it.

David in Charge!

In June, David took command of the 22d Space Operations Squadron. Joining us for the ceremony were David’s Uncle Ken, Erin’s godmother Lisa and the very proud TSgt Walter & Doris McKnight. His unit’s mission is operating and maintaining the Air Force’s system of satellite command and control. (Some of you may recall that he’s written a book on that subject.) He’s caring for 350 officers and enlisted Airmen, Air Force civilians, and contractors, deployed around the world at 6 locations in Greenland, Diego Garcia, England, California, Hawaii, Guam, and Colorado. He’ll have traveled over 50,000 air miles by the end of the year, just going to visit them all. But the people are great and welcomed us as part of their work family from the very first day. David is enjoying this opportunity and you can’t put a price on loving your work. For more details and photos of all his travels, check out his website http://22SOPS.blogspot.com .

We both drive more (time and distance) than we did in the DC area. We decided to enroll the kids in a public Montessori school in town, which means we don’t have to pay private school tuition but I have to drive back and forth across town 3 times a day. But even at $3.00/gallon, gas is cheaper than tuition.

Erin is a Busy Girl

Erin had a great start to her 6^th year. She had a small party with her friends at home and since she had no school on her birthday (for a teacher workday) we visited the National Zoo and see the baby panda. Erin said it was her best birthday ever.

Once we arrived in Colorado, Erin started piano lessons with a real teacher instead of Mom. She is learning quickly and has performed in two recitals since July. She doesn’t seem to suffer from stage fright (I believe she gets that from her dad’s side of the family!). She taught herself to ride her bike without training wheels. In August, Erin began grade school while it snowed on Pikes Peak, our local 14,110 foot mountain. She has adjusted to her 1^st grade class very well. She loves to read and writes every day (I believe she gets that from her dad’s side of the family, too!). She started Brownie Girl Scouts this year and has gone camping overnight and has earned several badges. She is still taking ballet and started gymnastics. She has lost 4 baby teeth already, including the front two teeth. Very Cute!

Kit is a Big Boy

Kit started school 5 mornings a week this fall in a primary Montessori class at the same school as Erin. He comes home for lunch with Mom and we play all afternoon until time to pick up Erin from school. He is also taking gymnastics and wants to play piano like his sister. He loves the movie “Cars” and acts out the movie on the floor with his Matchbox cars. If it has wheels or wings, he likes it. He turned 3 this past May with a birthday party at the local gym. I set up the party room and we were all ready for cake until I realized I’d forgotten the forks! By the time I got back with the utensils, it was too late—they were covered in cake! It was quite the mess but still a lot of fun.

David’s parents joined us at Thanksgiving. It was a very nice visit and we got to take them to some places they hadn’t seen on previous

visits–which is kinda hard to do since we have lived here off and on for the past 12 years! We’ll spend Christmas with our little family at home in Colorado. We hope to hear from you soon. Until next year, have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and Happy 2007!