Skirted work couple hours early, delayed flight connection in Baltimore, touchdown: Manchester, half-past midnite.  East Coast travel without the marathon run obligation.  Let the games BEGIN – Christmas Trifecta 2018! 🎄

HUGE house party at Stephen’s home in Merrimack.  Catered meal, table/chairs/dishes/glassware rentals AND a Holiday Program – Stephen on piano, carol singalong led by one of his choral chums, guitar teacher accompanied (banjo/violin/guitar).  WOW, right?  Home season-decorated: wreaths (plural), red bows, TWO CHRISTMAS TREES, winter reindeer scene.  If you’re looking for a holiday-themed wedding reception, I’ll forward his contact # – soup to nuts, notta detail missed.

Started Saturday with an 8-mile run.  New England wooded, finished before winter blew.  Swim laps & sauna at the Y – second shower and a pair of dress pants.  Missed the ‘no jeans’ text.  Luckily, share a waist-size ‘though looked like I was expecting high water (couple inches taller than Stephen).  LOL>

Stephen’s brother Harding & family first to arrive.  30 minutes next, the upstairs swelled.  Shrimp, baked brie, sherbet punch.  Holiday hugs, kids zooming room-to-room, whole lotta ‘catch-up’ conversations.  Family, work friends, neighbors – HUGE mix of LAUGHTER.  Dinner best served while HOT.  Beef, chicken, veggie lasagna – seriously, no detail forgotten.  Just WOW.

Tune TIME.  Schofield Family are a musical bunch.  Remember house parties on Moses Clark Road (years ago in northern New Hampshire) with Trudi & the Pioneers.  GREAT memories.  Those of us without the gene were handed tactile instruments – spoons, tambourine, washboard – wallflowering not an option at Harding & Donna’s cabin.  Accordion/fiddle/piano, Irish laughter ❤️

Fast forward 2018.  Silent Night, Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World.  Reading of the Christmas Story (book of Luke), memorable holiday duet AND of course SANTA CLAUS.  Down from the North Pole, SANTA shared stories, handed the kids gifts & mugged for photos.  Well done bub.

Christmas Eve update:  Back in New Hampshire, afternoon-exchanged with Stephen.  Apps, soup/salad/fondue at Sheila’s home.  Neighborhood lit with cheer; holiday welcomed.  Gift-shared with son Dan, Ashley & their young family.  Boys.  Eat fast, play hard, open gifts – zoom zoom zoom.  Highlight: new SKATES & a Cow puppet (purchased pre-Portland Marathon).  Super kind inclusion 🙂

New Hampshire Christmas