Thursday, December 21, 2017

Duggars and Bates in the Bahamas

Gil and Kelly Bates in Bahamas with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

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

81 comments:

  1. these videos are so awkward. just stick to the phone calls and birthday cards.

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    1. Agree. Jimbob says they have just phoned Jinger to wish her a happy birthday so there was really no need for the video, other than for the fans.

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  2. So cool the Bahamas I never went there congrats to Gil & Kelly Bates 30th Wedding Anniversary as a couple & best grandparents in the world so nice to invite Jimbob & Michelle. Time 5:25pm Comment made Thurs 12/21/17

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    1. Who takes another couple with them on a trip to celebrate their anniversary?

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    2. More couples than you think.I think its rather nice.

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    3. My work colleague, who is totally secular, got married at 25 yrs old and went on a honeymoon with another couple. Another couple I met while I was traveling in Italy and they were on their honeymoon (age late 20s) on a bus tour. I can think of many non-religious examples so it is just personal preference. Many people like to do things in groups.

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    4. My niece is taking 2 couples on their honeymoon.

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    5. I think it's nice as well.

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    6. I think it would be a lot of fun to do a trip with a friend couple, especially one we don't get to spend a of time with.

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  3. I wonder why the couple still would choose to go to the Bahamas? They don't sun bathe on the beach or really swim. Of course, it's warm and beautiful; but there are other destinations perhaps more in line with these couples ideas of fun!

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    1. This is a strange thing to say about someone unless I misunderstood. Are you saying you can't be modest and enjoy the beach?

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    2. It probably revolved around something for the Church

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    3. It's not what you're wearing on the beach, it's what the others are (or aren't...) wearing. Nike!

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    4. The Duggars themselves have said publicly, many times, that they do not go to the beach because of immodestly dressed people there. They’ve never explained that these views or values shifted; they just started photographing themselves at the beach on the regular.

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    5. Maby when the camers are there they get into thier bathing suits and lay in the sun cant never tell

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    6. I said nothing about how they would be clothed on the beach; simply the reasoning behind selecting an island destination where swimming, sunbathing are priority activities. The Duggars/Bateses really do neither!

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    7. Sun bathing .....Hee Hee

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    8. I'm pretty sure the Duggars and the Bates try to go to private beaches. They don't have to completely stay away from beaches if there is practically nobody there. I'm sure there are plenty of choices in the Bahamas, and I'm sure they will go to a more private beach, dressed modestly themselves. Come on people, try to think, and to think more positively.

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    9. You can't be modest and enjoy the beach.

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    10. Whether or not a beach is private makes no difference about what other people are wearing! It's still a beach.

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    11. Private beaches? If they're private how do you get in? Still I'm sure the people at the private beaches are wearing modern swimsuits or maybe nothing at all

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  4. "This is Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar"...saying happy birthday to their daughter? They have to tell her who they are??

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    1. I think the Duggars have lost the ability to be private so everything they do is scripted for the public. Very strange

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  5. These messages always feel a little forced and awkward. Wonder if they even think about adopting. They like kids.

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    1. Many states won't let you adopt if you have a certain amount of children.

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    2. They have their nephew. Whether they adopt or not, he is still part of their family

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    3. They didn't adopt ‼️ they have legal guardianship to care for this child who is a family member ‼️

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  6. Congratulations Gil ans Kelly! Enjoy your time with Jim-Bob and Michelle. They are such a sweet couple as well as you two are.



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  7. Did Jana get to babysit run the house again ,hope for her she finds her soulmate and run her own little house

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    1. Someone just like Jeremy or better, she deserves the best!!!

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    2. Yes! I agree! Jana needs to have some time for her. It's great That she loves her family and enjoys them but it's nice to have some time for her to court :)

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    3. The grandma was watching the little kids.

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    4. I think Grandma Duggar is getting a little old to take on many little kids...not that she did...

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    5. A man in your life is not a requirement for happiness, nor fufillment. If Jana would rather move out of her parents' house and live on her own, I hope she would have the blessing of her family to do so, rather than there be an expectation that she remain at home until an acceptable husband is found to take care of her.

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  8. I love seeing the couples together! What a blessing that they have had 38 children!! Still I find it a bit odd to end Jinger’s birthday video with “a kiss”.

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    1. I found it a bit weird that jb said "michelle and kelly have had 19 kids", and not something like "between our two families we have had 19 kids".
      He makes it sound like having kids is something that concerns just the mothers.

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  9. How fun! I love nature of all kinds, but I’ve always said the place I am most at peace is the beach. But right now I’m hoping for snow for my kids!

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  10. I love the Duggars and the Bates. It's especially fun to see them get together. I'd love to see them do something together on one of their shows.

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  11. This year went on a cruise to the Bahamas. I hope they are having the best time, your only as old as you feel...Jane

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  12. An odd thing to do during the season leading up to Christmas when most people spend time with family. But hope they enjoy themselves.

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    1. It isn’t odd when your anniversary is in December like the Bates’ anniversary is. My husband and I were married in December, and we go away for a couple of days to celebrate every year.

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    2. Gil and Kelly always go on a trip for their anniversary, there's nothing wrong with that.

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    3. And an odd place to go, if you don't want to have to look at people in bikinis.

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    4. It's only odd if you SAY you don't look at people in bikinis.

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  13. Yikes Christmas is in 3 days and they both have lots of little ones to prepare Christmas for, how could they take a vacation that far away this close to Christmas? They must have other people taken care of all their responsibilities for them which isn't fair to the younger kids. These families sure have changed.

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    1. Possibly they did all the present buying/wrapping before they left on their trip.

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    2. I think Anon 2:21 They were also referring to the moments of excitement that we have with our little ones as Christmas day is close. I know thats how it is at my house and at everyone I knows house. We have little visits from people, baking last minute treats with our little ones, cookies and hot chocolate watching a Christmas special together. All the magical moments between us and our little ones are vital to them. I wouldn't leave my kids for a day around the Holiday, no way.

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    3. Duggars don't give each other presents. If you watch a early episode of 19 kids in counting. They got to hospital's and visit sick kids.

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    4. When you get married close to Christmas, then you celebrate close to Christmas. It isn’t hard to purchase gifts and wrap them up weeks before Christmas comes, since it isn’t a surprise that it comes every year at the same time.

      It is important for parents to have alone time, so I think it is wonderful that they went away for a few days.

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    5. The Duggars don't make a huge deal about Christmas in regards to presents for thier family. They do focus on Christ and how they can give to others. (They don't even have a huge Christmas tree, just a couple small ones (like 1ft tall) around the house. ) I do agree though that the parents rely WAY too much on other people (mainly Jana ) to take care of thier responsibilities as parents. I can understand it when there were a lot of little ones but now that the youngest is 7, there should really be no reason why the parents can't actually start parenting without the buddy system.

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    6. I wonder what you mean by "all the responsibilities"? I am ready for Christmas by early December every year. We have religious celebrations on Dec 24 & 25 that require no planning and family things scattered throughout the month. Very calm and relaxing.

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    7. Maybe presents aren't the most important thing at their homes

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    8. Those who are claiming that the Duggars don't do presents or don't make a huge deal out of presents, you obviously have not seen the pictures they posted from yesterday. It was wall-to-wall presents in their house! They most certainly do give each other presents (they do a name drawing), and they get things from Jim Bob & Michelle. The presents said who they were to and from on the boxes.

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    9. Don't make a big deal about presents.‼️
      did you see the pictures on today's post...
      Good on them...❣🎄🎶

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    10. It looks like they give a lot of presents in the new pictures posted. But they can still choose to go away before Christmas if that is what they want. Not something that we would do but to each his own.

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  14. Just a note to say Merry Christmas to our great bloggers. The time and attention you put into all your blogs is like a gift everyday. Have Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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    1. Couldn’t agree more! Merry Christmas Lily and Ellie, God bless you! Xx

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    2. Oh yes! Thank goodness for Donald Trump. Before we weren't' allowed to say "Christmas". He said he would make it happen and he did. It is now legal

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    3. Thank you for your kind words. We are blessed to have such wonderful readers. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

      Lily and Ellie

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    4. Trump made saying Merry Christmas legal? What? When was it ever illegal? With all the national and world issues facing this country, that is a strange thing to claim victory about.

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    5. 11:11 when was it ever illegal to say Merry Christmas? Please check your facts. I dont think anyone in America was ever jailed or fined for saying Merry Christmas. Donald Trump has done nothing to make it "legal"

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    6. I agree I love y'all thank you for all your blogs

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    7. Oh yes ,thank goodness for Donald Trump.... WHAT ??😳
      I cringe every time I hear that...and we could always say
      Merry Christmas....& he--D.T. Had nothing to do with it...

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    8. Trust me..in many muslim countries, Christians are persecuted and killed. We must never take for granted our freedoms :)

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    9. Anonymous 11:11 Obama said Merry Christmas as did both Bush Presidents and Clinton. Trump had nothing to do with the words Merry Christmas!

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    10. 11:05 -- Actually... I don't believe Obama ever sent a Merry Christmas card. He always sent a Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings card.

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    11. That doesn’t mean saying it was illegal

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  15. Strange time to be away with the little ones having birthdays and holiday prep. I could never have done that.

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    1. They didn’t choose the date for the Bates’ anniversary. They were asked to go along with them and celebrate. They didn’t get to pick the dates. The Duggars and Bates both have several adult children. They can handle the prep.

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    2. Nor, as a Mama, would have I have wanted to. Especially as JimBob and Michelle just took time together away from the children and home on their own Anniversary trip to Hawaii. To each their own, I guess. Glad it's not my life. :)

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    3. Your birthday only lasts one day.

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    4. And, I would have never wanted to either

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    5. I am honestly curious what you mean by "holiday prep"? We decorate and bake earlier in the month and have family events all through December. We go to church Dec 24 & 25. I can't think of any "prep" that I have been doing the past few days.

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    6. I could'nt either!

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    7. 4:37- I can assure you, anyone hosting a gathering on Christmas Eve or Day is doing some cleaning and meal prep work a day or two beforehand. I know I do.

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  16. When is Jim Bob due??

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  17. The Bates give and exchange gifts on Valentine's Day. They've had episodes sharing this fun love day! So not to worry, folks, if they went shopping for the kids for Christmas before their trip. They're good!

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  18. Awwww that was such a sweet message for Jinger, I am happy for the Duggar family!:) Happy Birthday Jinger you've been blessed with kind, smart and loving parents. :)
    I am not of the same faith as the Duggars' but I absolutely see the beauty of this family and the work they do for the Lord....they're always focused on God and I simply love then for it.

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