Duggars #10 and #11 Turn 20

Today, the second to last day of the year, is the final Duggar birthday celebration of 2018, and it's a big one. Twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah are 20 years old! Happy birthday, Jed and Jer. Today is also Zach Bates' 30th birthday.

 

Jedidiah Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, Joy and Austin Forsyth

Duggar Grandkids at Silver Dollar City

Michael Duggar, Meredith Duggar, Marcus Duggar, Mackynzie Duggar

The Duggars are big fans of Silver Dollar City--located near Branson, Missouri, only two hours from their home in Arkansas. During Christmas break, they made a trip there with most of the clan, as well as some extended family.

Above is a photo of Josh and Anna Duggar's four oldest kids on one of the children's rides. We know there will be comments about the girls' jeans, so we want to add a note from Anna. She says, "From the time Mackynzie has been a baby, I have always allowed our girls to wear jeans instead of leggings in the winter--the long coat is covering [Mackynzie's] dress."

Photo courtesy Josh and Anna Duggar/duggarfamily.com

More Photos from Central America 2018

We have more photos to share from the Duggars' trip to Central America which they returned from just days before Christmas. December mission trips to the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have become a holiday tradition for the Duggars.

They have also visited during other months of the year, but this annual trip is unique because they are able to bring Christmas gifts to and share the Christmas story with residents of remote villages.

Jim Bob Duggar

 

Michelle Duggar

 

Michelle Duggar, Johannah Duggar, Jennifer Duggar, Jana Duggar, Jordyn Duggar

 

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

 

Group photo

Photos are property of duggarfamily.com and may not be used without written permission. To view the family's full Central America 2018 album, visit their website.

9-Year Blogging Anniversary

Jinger Vuolo and Felicity Vuolo

 

How was your Christmas celebration? The day after Christmas is also very special for us because it is the day we published our first post on this blog.

The year was 2009, and season three of the Duggars' reality show--called 18 Kids and Counting at that point--had just come to a close. Josie Duggar was only two weeks old and was fighting for her life in the NICU. (Her emergency birth would air on January 31st, 2010.) Josh was the only married Duggar sibling, and two-month-old Mackynzie was the only Duggar grandchild. Things sure have changed since then!

We are thrilled to be entering our 10th year of blogging about about the Duggar family, and we are grateful to all our loyal readers from across the world.

       Sincerely,
       Lily and Ellie
       Your faithful bloggers

The photo above was taken in Pennsylvania, where Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo are spending Christmas with Jeremy's family.

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

Photo courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Jim Bob and Jenny

Merry Christmas Eve! Thought we would share this new photo of Jim Bob and Jennifer, taken on the Duggars' annual Central American mission trip, which they returned from only a few days ago. This year, Jim Bob and Michelle went with Jana and some of the younger children.

Jim Bob Duggar and Jennifer Duggar

Central America, December 2018

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

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar #6 Turns 25

Wishing Jinger Vuolo a very happy 25th birthday! Jinger has been a wife to Jeremy Vuolo for just over two years and a mom to Felicity Vuolo for five months.

 

Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo

Photos courtesy jingerandjeremy.com, duggarfamily.com

Duggar #18 Turns 10

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's second youngest child has entered the double digits. Happy 10th birthday, Jordyn!

Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, theseewaldfamily.com

Felicity Waves Hello

In two days, Felicity Vuolo will officially be five months old. Check out this new photo of Jinger and Jeremy's little munchkin. We think it looks like she's waving to the camera.

Felicity Vuolo

 Photo courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Cousin Amy's New Clothing Store

Jessa Seewald visits 3130 Clothing

For those who have been asking for an update on Duggar cousin Amy King, she has just accomplished something big that warrants a blog post. Today is the grand opening of her new boutique, 3130 Clothing!

Located in the Duggars' hometown of Springdale, Arkansas, 3130 offers women's clothing of all shapes and sizes. The name is based on the Bible verse Proverbs 31:30 ("Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.") On the store's website, Amy shares that her mission is to "shine a light in Arkansas, our online presence and the world" and to "show women their beauty shines from within." 

Congratulations to Amy and her husband, Dillon! What a huge accomplishment. 

Photo courtesy theseewaldfamily.com

Birthday Dinner for Jordyn and Josie

In celebration of Josie Duggar's 9th birthday (December 10th) and Jordyn Duggar's 10th birthday (December 18th), Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar took the family members serving on a mission trip in Central America out to a local Pizza Hut. While it may not be the choice meal for adults, this restaurant is the perfect place for a children's birthday party.

Jana Duggar and Michelle Duggar

 

Josie Duggar and Jordyn Duggar

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Austin Turns 25

Wishing Austin Forsyth a very happy 25th birthday!

Joy Forsyth, Austin Forsyth, Gideon Forsyth

Thanksgiving 2018

Joy Forsyth, Austin Forsyth, Gideon Forsyth

March 2018

Joy and Austin Forsyth

February 2018

Joy and Austin Forsyth

Flying with Austin's dad, December 2017

Joy and Austin Forsyth

Honeymoon 2017

Joy Duggar and Austin Forsyth

Wedding, May 26th, 2017

Joy Duggar, Austin Forsyth, Michelle Duggar, Jim Bob Duggar

Celebrating Austin's birthday 2016

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, Joy and Austin Forsyth

dUGgarLY Sweater Party Group Photo

On Saturday, we posted a few snapshots from the Duggars' first annual ugly sweater Christmas party (the dUGgarLY Sweater Party). A good number of family members, and even some of the Duggar siblings' in-laws, attended. Jim Bob and Michelle are currently on a mission trip in Central America with Jana and some of the younger children.

Duggar Ugly Sweater Party

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar #19 Turns 9

Today is Josie Duggar's 9th birthday! When we started our blog almost nine years ago, she was just a few weeks old and was fighting for her life in the NICU. Today, she is a spunky, happy, and healthy child. Happy birthday, Josie!

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Duggars'

Have you ever attended an ugly Christmas sweater party? Jim Bob and Michelle, Jana, and a few of the younger Duggar children are on a mission trip in Central America, but the Duggars back home threw an ugly Christmas sweater party at the "big house." Their get-together included Italian food, a baking competition, a white elephant gift exchange, board games, and lots of ugly sweaters.

Grandma Duggar, Michael Duggar, Anna Duggar, Mackynzie Duggar,

Mason Duggar, Josh Duggar, Meredith Duggar, Marcus Duggar

Jedidiah Duggar, Jason Duggar, Jeremiah Duggar

Joseph Duggar and Kendra Duggar

John Duggar and Abbie Duggar

Photos courtesy theseewaldfamily.com

Dillard Update December 2018

Jill Dillard and Israel Dillard

It has been several weeks since we have posted a Dillard update. Derick Dillard is nearing the end of his first semester at University of Arkansas School of Law. He is in the midst of final exams, which began this week and run through next week. Israel, three-and-a-half, and Samuel, 17 months, are as adorable as ever.

Israel Dillard, Samuel Dillard, Jill Dillard

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

Photos courtesy dillardfamily.com

Duggars Arrive in Central America

For the Duggars, December mission trips to Central America have become an annual tradition. They arrived at their destination yesterday and are ready to start serving with S.O.S. Ministries. This time, Jim Bob and Michelle both went, and they brought some of their younger children along.

Duggars in Central America, December 2018

 

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar in Central America, December 2018

Since we started blogging about the Duggars in 2009 (nine years ago!) we have posted dozens of photos from their many missions trips to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. For fun, here are a few throwbacks:

 

Joy-Anna Duggar in Central America, 2016

 

Jim Bob Duggar in Central America, 2014

 

Jana Duggar, Jessa Duggar, Jinger Duggar, Jill Duggar

Central America 2013

Joy-Anna Duggar and Kendra Caldwell in Central America, 2013

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

'John-David and Abbie's Wedding' Recap

For those who were unable to watch the preview of John and Abbie Duggar's wedding on TLC, we have written an extended recap. It is also still available on the TLC website.

• "It was a very quick transition from bachelor status to now very much not a bachelor," says John. "It's been a wonderful transition so far, and I'm not looking back."
• John and Abbie met earlier this year (although they say they have known of each other for several years) when Jim Bob and Michelle were speaking at a church near Abbie's hometown. They started texting, became boyfriend and girlfriend, and announced their courtship to the Duggars--all within two weeks of meeting each other. "They were just blown away," John says of his family's reaction to his relationship news. Joy started crying tears of happiness.
• "It was pretty much love at first sight, although we didn't realize it was love at that moment," says John. "Not infatuation, that's not the right word." "I'm pretty sure you were infatuated," responds Abbie. "Ya, I was kind of infatuated," admits John.
• Abbie Burnett is from Stratford, Oklahoma, and is the fourth of eight children (five girls and three boys). She has worked as a nurse for one year and has a passion for geriatrics.
• Within just two months, John and Abbie were engaged at an airplane hanger in Texas. Like past Duggar couples, they save their first kiss for the altar.
• On their wedding day--November 3rd--John and Abbie arrive at the church (Ada First Baptist Church, where they met) together. Jana is a bridesmaid, as are Abbie's sisters.
• Jim Bob and Michelle more than approve of the match and are thrilled to watch their eighth child get married. "I love Abbie," says Michelle. "She is so sweet, and I know that she is just the perfect balance in John's life. It's so cute to see them together."
• Abbie's parent's (John and Cheryl Burnett) are excited, as well. Her dad really enjoys having a first look with his daughter before the ceremony. After walking her down the aisle, he gives her away, on behalf of himself and Cheryl, "with joyful hearts and our fullest blessing."
• We posted John and Abbie's vows last week. You can view them by tapping here. During the unity candle ceremony, Josiah and Lauren Duggar sing a song that has been a long-time wedding tradition for the Burnett family.
• During the ring exchange, the pastor admits that he has no idea where the second part to Abbie's ring is. "At some point, it's going to show up," he says, chuckling. "We're not quite sure when because this is your family." The younger Duggar brothers fly the ring over to the stage on a drone.
• When it comes time to kiss the bride, John kisses Abbie's hands, arms, and forehead (while she laughs and smiles) before going in for a long and passionate kiss on the lips. The pastor introduces them as "Mr. and Mrs. John-David Duggar," and they exit the sanctuary with shouts of joy.