87- and 90-year-old great-grandparents babysit seven kids and host annual sleepovers

Lauren Brusie says her grandparents, Doris (87) and Jerry (90), remain deeply involved in the family: they see her weekly, babysit her seven children, and last year hosted nine of their 14 great-grandchildren for a Christmas sleepover — an annual tradition they started several years ago.

Brusie, 34, says her grandparents were a constant presence for her and her six cousins growing up — attending games and school events, spending weekends and summers together — and they continue to travel around the state to visit and support all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Their holiday sleepovers include cookies and ice cream, kids playing and movies, and Doris and Jerry waking early to cook breakfast. They also take each great-grandchild on a one-on-one birthday lunch and shopping trip, a tradition meant for age 4 that they have bent twice to include 3-year-olds.

Both grandparents stay active with camping, golf, bowling, card nights and casino trips.

lauren brusie, doris and jerry, 87- and 90-year-old grandparents, babysit seven children, christmas sleepover tradition, birthday lunch shopping trip, 14 great-grandchildren, one-on-one birthday lunches, malt nights, camping club, golf leagues, card nights and casino trips