A US couple, Leo and Ruth Zanger, have just celebrated the birth of newborn Jaxton Leo. After 53 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, that makes little Jaxton Leo and Ruth’s 100th grandchild.
No, that’s not a typo.
Yes, they really have 100 grandchildren.
Coming in at number 100 (or number 46 amongst the great-grandchildren), Jaxton is the latest addition to a family that has been growing steadily (and rapidly) for 59 years.
Ruth and Leo married in 1956 and had 12 children, Linda, Greg, Debbie, David, Donna, Steve, Mike, Daniel, Ernie, Matt, Chuck and Joe – and from there, the family hasn’t only gotten bigger.
Welcoming their first grandchild, Jeannine, in 1975, Ruth and Leo quickly adjusted to life as grandparents and haven’t looked back.
Now, with 53 grandchildren, 46 great-granchildren and one great-great grandchild, you can imagine family get-togethers are a bit of a struggle.
Their “mandatory” reunions at Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day require 10 full sized turkeys, 23 kilograms of ham, endless side dishes, and a church hall to fit them all in.
“Everyone takes their turn (in helping with food), and they all try and outdo each other,” says a grandchild, Donna. “We are always getting together for something.”
As to whether or not they expect more grandchildren, Ruth and Leo aren’t ruling it out.
“There’s always room for one more”, said a smiling Ruth.
