“Hearts Come Home For Christmas” – Lucy Ogletree 2008.

Lucy and Marian with Francis - 1958.

Country Christmas Concert with “Little Suzy Snowflake”– Lucy Ogletree 2009.

When I was young I attended a little one room schoolhouse in the farming Community of Kent County, Ontario. There were 30 students in total that attended SS # 10 Camden school.

When Christmas time came all 30 of us were eager to participate in the Christmas concert that we performed in front of our families and friends.

During the concert all of the kids sang Christmas songs and performed “plays”.

One play that I remember the most starred my sister Marian as “Little Suzy Snowflake”. I thought she was so cute!

My childhood memories of Christmas include so many things I love. Christmas holidays meant skating on the creek, tobogganing at a nearby hill and making snowmen.

Skating in the woods - Lucy Ogletree 2005.

But the most exciting of all was Christmas morning that included gifts, family gatherings and a Christmas feast.

After opening our presents we would load up Christmas gifts in the car and off we would go to one of many family gatherings.

Having Christmas dinner at my Grandma and Grandpa Ogletree’s house was so much fun. Grandma loved to cook and she made the best Christmas pudding. She added a hint of whiskey and when she wasn’t looking her sons would sneak in a little bit more.

When dinner was ready we all gathered in the tiny dining room. I remember if you sat in the middle you were there for the whole meal. Everyone on either side of you would have to get up so you could get out of the chair. Grandpa would say grace and then Grandma would appear with the biggest turkey ever!

What a feast. What a happy memory.

Christmas photo session at Grandma Ogletree’s - 1960..

Of course after dinner we would open our gifts and then the photo session would start.

My cousins and I found it annoying to have to stand and wait while our pictures were taken. We would rather being playing with our new toys.

… but now so many years later all of us dearly treasure the memories the pictures bring.

We also had dinner at my other Grandparent’s - the Shaw family on my Mom’s side of the family. This family gathering was also great fun!

My memories of this Christmas gathering always include lots of laughter.

Shaw Grandparent’s Christmas photo session - 1957.

The adults always sat at one table and my cousins and my sister and I sat at a smaller table.

Then it would start.

The uncontrollable laughter.

We kids would just have to look at each other or say something silly and then we would start to laugh.

We would laugh so hard tears would run down our little faces.

After dinner we would open even more Christmas presents and of course the photo sessions.

Looking back at the pictures of Christmas's past fills me with joy and happiness. I see all the people in my life I have been blessed with.

Marian and Lucy Ogletree at Christmas time - 1960.

Mike and I feel privileged to have so many families who make visiting us at Winter Wheat a part of their Christmas tradition.

When I see them visit, I see the excitement in the children’s faces. I see the children squirming as their families try and take their pictures for their “photo session”.

And I know in just a few short years memories of Christmas presents may fade but the images in the photos will be truly treasured.

Mike and I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happiness in the New Year!

Christmas Wishes

It's Christmas time again

And there's magic in the air.

A sense of celebration

That's simply everywhere.

You are wished the joy it brings

Will sparkle just for you.

And that the festive happiness

Will last the whole year through.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

Lucy & Mike