Duggar Twins #2 Turn 19

Wishing twins Jedidiah Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar a blessed 19th birthday! These guys are the 10th and 11th oldest in the Duggar clan, and they share the same middle name (Robert). Today is also Zach Bates' birthday. The oldest of the 19 Bates kids, Zach is turning 29.

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar Christmas Travels

This morning, we shared photos from Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo's Christmas celebration in Philadelphia, and earlier this week, we posted snapshots from the Duggar Christmas extravaganza that took place at Jim Bob and Michelle's house on Christmas Day.

After the holiday, several of the Duggar siblings--including Joseph and Kendra--flew out to Massanutten, Virginia, for a little vacation. Cousin Amy (Duggar) King and Dillon also went along. The boys have been skiing, while the ladies have been tubing and shopping. If you follow our Bates blog, you may remember the Bates' trip ski trip to Massanutten a year ago.

For those wondering where Josh and Anna Duggar and their five children (Mackynzie, Michael, Marcus, Meredith, and Mason) spent Christmas, they went down to Florida to be with Anna's family.

Josh and Anna Duggar

Mackynzie Duggar, Michael Duggar, Marcus Duggar,
Meredith Duggar, Mason Duggar

Photo courtesy Josh and Anna Duggar/duggarfamily.com

Vuolos Visit Vuolos

Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo traveled to Philadelphia to celebrate Christmas with Jeremy's family. Although the weather has been chilly, the went out on the town and visited The Franklin Institute Science Museum, Tenth Presbyterian Church, and the University of Pennsylvania.

 Jeremy Vuolo and Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo

Jinger and Jeremy with the extended Vuolo family (Jeremy's parents and siblings)

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photos courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Duggar Christmas 2017 Snapshots

How was your holiday? The Duggars gathered at "the big house" on Christmas Day to celebrate with family and friends. Rather than have everyone buy a small gift for everyone else, the Duggars choose names and then each purchase a larger gift for one person. Below are a few snapshots from their day.

 Jackson Duggar and Tyler

 Jim Bob Duggar (aka Grandpa) and Henry Seewald

Joseph and Kendra Duggar (expecting a child in 2018)

Josie Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, and Jennifer Duggar

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar Family Christmas Picture

Wishing all our readers a blessed Christmas! Above is a copy of the Duggars' latest family photo.


Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Baby Announcement Video

Have you heard this week's big announcements? Joseph and Kendra Duggar are expecting a baby, and new episodes of Counting On will return in spring 2018. For those who were unable to watch Joe and Kendra's video message, we are posting it below in a new format.


Photo/video courtesy TLC

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Duggars and Bates in the Bahamas

In celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary, Gil and Kelly Bates are in the Bahamas, and Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are with them! The two couples have been close friends for more than 20 years, and they thought it would be fun to take a vacation together. Pilot John-David Duggar flew them to their destination.

Below is a video message from the Duggars and Bates in honor of Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo's 24th birthday, which is today.


If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photo/video courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar #6 Turns 24

Wishing Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo a very happy 24th birthday! The Vuolos celebrated over the weekend with a trip to Dallas, Texas, to see A Christmas Carol, with a stop at Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Silos.

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, jingerandjeremy.com, theseewaldfamily.com

'Counting On' To Return Soon!

The excitement continues! Yesterday, we shared that Joseph Duggar and Kendra (Caldwell) Duggar are expecting a baby, and today we have another big announcement to make. Are you ready?

Counting On will return to TLC in spring 2018! Are you looking forward to new episodes?


Photo courtesy TLC

Grand-Duggar #11 Coming Soon!

The Duggar family has big news to share! Just three months after their wedding, Joseph Duggar, 22, and Kendra (Caldwell) Duggar, 19, are thrilled to announce that they are expecting a baby. Joe says he hopes their little one has Kendra's laugh, while Kendra would like their child to be as patient as her hubby. Take a look at the couple's announcement video below:

Photo/video courtesy TLC

Duggar #18 Turns 9

For eight days every December (between Josie's birthday on the 10th and Jordyn's birthday on the 18th), three Duggars--Jordyn Duggar, Mackynzie Duggar, and Josie Duggar--are all the same age. That trend ends today with Jordyn's 9th birthday. Wishing her a very special day!

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Carlin and Joy at Tori's Wedding

Yesterday afternoon, the Duggar family (everyone but Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo) gathered in Knoxville, Tennessee, to watch Tori Bates tie the knot with Bobby Smith. (We shared a few wedding photos on our Bates blog.)

Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth were in attendance. Joy and Carlin are close friends, so the two snapped a picture, showcasing Joy's growing baby bump and Carlin's beautiful bridesmaid gown. If things continue to go as planned, Carlin will likely be the next Bates daughter to walk down the aisle.

Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth and Carlin Bates

Photo courtesy Carlin Bates/thebatesfamily.com

Big Wedding Tomorrow

 Duggar and Bates men at the annual ATI homeschool conference, April 2017

Tomorrow afternoon, at a church in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area, Tori Bates will marry her sweetheart, Bobby Smith. Tori turns 22 next week, while Bobby will be 23 in February. Rest assured, there will be some Duggars present at the event.

The Duggars and Bates have been close friends for more than 20 years, and while every single member of each family isn't always able to be there to celebrate the major milestones of the other, they always send at least a handful of delegates.

We look forward to sharing more details about the wedding on our Bates blog in the days and weeks to come. Tori and Bobby will have 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen with a winter wonderland theme.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

3 Weddings in 1 Weekend

Last week, we shared photos from the Bontrager/Bowers double wedding that the Duggars attended on Friday, September 1st. After a busy day of festivities, the Bontragers woke up the next morning and did it all over again!

This time, the groom was Mitchell Bontrager, the second oldest of Marlin and Rebecca Bontrager's ten children. He married Bryn Leppert. Scroll down for pictures, some of which include the Duggars.

 The Bontrager family

 The three couples

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar congratulate the bride and groom

Photos are courtesy of the Bontrager family/Sarah Smith Studios

The ceremony is available for viewing on YouTube, and more photos can be found on the Bontragers' website.

Austin Turns 24

Wishing Austin Forsyth a very blessed 24th birthday! He and Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth have been married six months and are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first child, due in March 2018.

 The Forsyths

 Joy and Austin Forsyth honeymoon in Kandersteg, Switzerland

The Forsyths honeymoon in Israel

Photos courtesy Joy and Austin Forsyth

Duggar Trivia 11.0

It's time for some Duggar trivia! Try your hand at the questions below, and post your guesses as a comment. We will reveal the answers in a couple days.

1. In 2011, the Duggars went overseas. What was their first stop? (Bonus point if you can name all the countries they visited.)

2. Which Duggar kid's middle name is Levi?

3. How many Duggars have June birthdays?

4. Where did Ben propose to Jessa? (Bonus point if you can name the town, state, and building.)

5. In an episode of 19 Kids and Counting that aired in March 2015, Michelle attended her __-year high school reunion.


Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Schoolhouse Little Rock

Following Josie Duggar's premature birth (eight year ago, as of yesterday) the Duggar family relocated to Little Rock to be near the hospital. You may remember that the home they leased, called the Cornish House, and the ironic history behind it.

While living in Little Rock, Jim Bob and Michelle and their older children worked hard to maintain a sense of normality for the younger ones. In this video, filmed in spring 2010, 19-year-old Jill Duggar works with four-year-old Johannah Duggar and two-year-old Jennifer Duggar on reading, shapes, and colors. The cameras also show the makeshift school room set up for the older ones.

Photo/video courtesy of TLC

Duggar #19 Turns 8

Has it really been eight years since Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 19th child into the world? It feels like just yesterday we were posting updates on her progress, as she spent months in the NICU following her premature birth. Some of the updates were celebratory, while others were calls for prayer. Now, eight years later, Josie is happy and healthy.

Happy birthday, Josie Brooklyn!

This is our favorite photo of Josie. It was taken in June 2012 and was sent to us by Jill, who had looked up a Duggar recipe on our blog because she hadn't been able to locate the family's copy.

Josie Duggar, June 2012

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Vuolos' First Snow

Snow has been spotted in South Texas! The forecast for the next week is sunny and warm, but residents were shocked to see a light dusting yesterday and today. Having grown up in Northwest Arkansas, Jinger is a bit more accustomed to snow than her new friends in Texas, but seeing snowflakes fall from the sky is exciting, nonetheless.

Have you had your first snow?

Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo

Photo courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Duggars Headed to New Zealand

This post is for all of our lovely readers in New Zealand. Last week, we announced the Duggars' upcoming trip to Australia. After Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and 14 of their 19 children wrap up their time in Australia, they will hop over to see you!

Thursday, January 18th-Monday, January 22nd, 2018
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar (and 13 of their children) to speak at the New Zealand IBLP Family Conference
Marton, NZ
For registration information, view the event brochure on the IBLP New Zealand website.

We spoke with IBLP, and they recommend that those who want to meet the Duggars but are unable to attend the full conference register as a day visitor for Saturday and/or Sunday.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar Christmas Goodies

 Johannah Duggar, Tyler, Jordyn Duggar

The Christmas season is in full swing, which means that the Duggar home is filled with the aroma of baked goods. Above, Johannah, Tyler, and Jordyn are pictured delicately drizzling melted chocolate over pretzels to make chocolate-covered pretzels.

Do you enjoy holiday baking? If you do, here are links to some of the Duggars favorite recipes:

Jill's Favorite Cheesecake
Michelle's Apple Dumplings
Buckeyes
Mrs. Brundi Crawford's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jim Bob's Favorite Oatmeal Cookies

St. John's Banana Bread
Banana Cake
Grandma Duggar's Buttermilk Chocolate Sheet Cake and Icing


Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Bontrager/Bowers Double Wedding

Those who have been long-time readers of our blog have likely been acquainted with the Bontragers, close friends of the Duggars who tour the country playing gospel and bluegrass music. This year, parents Marlin and Rebecca Bontrager watched three of their children tie the knot...all in the same weekend!

On Friday, September 1st, the family threw a double wedding for Carson Bontrager, then 21, and Joshua Bontrager, 20, at the Bontrager farm. And to make the special day even more unique, the brides were sisters! Carson married Carolina Bowers, and Joshua married Cassidy Bowers in a ceremony and reception attended by nearly 1,000 guests.

The following day, Mitchell Bontrager, 25, married his sweetheart, Bryn Leppert. And a few days before the big wedding weekend, Chelsy Bontrager, the oldest of Marlin and Rebecca's 10 children, said yes to boyfriend John Maxwell's proposal, which means the family is already planning another wedding!

Below are photos from the Bontrager/Bowers double wedding, many of which include the Duggars.

Photos are courtesy of the Bontrager family/Windrose Photography

The ceremony is available for viewing on YouTube, and more photos can be found on the Bontragers' website.

Photos of Mitchell and Bryn's wedding coming soon.

Dillard December Snaphots

Only three weeks until Christmas! Jill and the kids have enjoyed spending time with family this holiday season. Here are a few snapshots from some of their recent activities:

Israel Dillard and Grandma Cathy Dillard Byrum

Playing "store" at the Amazeum, a children's museum in Bentonville, AR

 Jill and Israel Dillard at a Christmas parade in Rogers, AR

Jill Dillard shows off the henna she received from a friend from South Asia

Jill and Derick's Christmas tree

Photos courtesy dillardfamily.com

'Counting On' Returning?

 Jana Duggar, Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald, Joy Forsyth, Jinger Vuolo

Counting On has been off the air for six weeks now, and we know you all are eager to hear whether the Duggars will be returning for a new season. We have been in contact with TLC, but at this time, there are no announcements to share. As soon as there is news to give, we will post it here.

In the meantime, we're curious to hear what you like most about the show and what other TV programs you watch, if any?

 Photo courtesy TLC

Forsyths Fly to MS

Thank Goodness It's Friday! Joy and Austin Forsyth, along with Austin's father, Terry Forsyth, are flying down to Mississippi for a wedding.

Joy (Duggar) Forsyth, Austin Forsyth, Terry Forsyth

Photo courtesy Joy and Austin Forsyth