The Lacanlales Share Why They Are More Grateful This Year Than Ever Before

The holidays look very different for many families this year for a host of reasons but many are trying to find joy and hope during this time of year now more than ever. I had the absolute pleasure to take holiday pictures of the Lacanlales. I’m delighted to share Len and Diana’s story about what the holidays mean to them, their family traditions, and what they are most excited about in 2021!

Christmas is a special time of year for Len and Diana Lacanlale because as Christians they rejoice in the birth of Jesus first and foremost. They both love the holiday season from the gorgeous lights that adorn homes, to decorating the Christmas tree, to the wonderful feeling that the holiday brings to their family. Every year they celebrate this joyous time of year with family and friends by attending many gatherings filled with laughter, food and most importantly love. This year, they are pivoting like most families and have decided to stay home and forgo time with their loved ones but they are thrilled to be spending time at home with their immediate family. Their beautiful tree dressed in lights and ornaments has been up since early October and like most of us with children, they are looking forward to their excitement to open gifts and play on Christmas Day. Diana said that “Christmas is more magical with kids” and their joy makes us forget, if only for a minute, the challenging year we have all experienced.

During the early years of marriage, Len and Diana realized that their families had great traditions that they wanted to continue with their own family and throughout the years they have adopted their own traditions. Their top three traditions include opening gifts on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, making Christmas breakfast, and wearing holiday PJs. Every Christmas eve, everyone opens up just one gift, and then on Christmas morning, they open up all the gifts. Diana, inspired by the 1994 Little Woman movie when she was a little girl, makes a big Christmas breakfast for the family. Matching PJs is a fairly new tradition and this year they will stay cozy and matchy on Christmas day.

After reflecting in 2020, they said they are grateful to both have been fortunate enough to keep working during a pandemic, to have time to rest and enjoy time together after feeling overly scheduled pre-pandemic, and most importantly they have grown in their relationship with Christ. As they look ahead to 2021, Diana expressed how her dream of being a stay-at-home mom will soon become a reality as they are preparing for the arrival of their third child. Len and Diana have always wanted a big family and although there will be a lot of change, they are overjoyed about the arrival of their blessing!

Thank you Len and Diana for sharing your story and congratulations.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.