November 17, 2016, 2:00 am
Our blogging break is almost over, but we wanted to make sure to announce tonight's episode of
Bringing Up Bates. Tune in to UP at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a "from the couch" segment. The Bates share their colorful commentary as they revisit footage from Thanksgiving at Papa Bill and Mama Jane's farm.
In this promo video, the girls cheer on the guys, who are competing in the annual football championship.
Photo/video courtesy of TLC
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November 18, 2016, 11:00 am
We came across a Bates video that most of you have probably never seen. It was filmed last year and features a member of the Bates family who doesn't usually appear on the show...Rocky the black lab! In this extended clip, a dog trainer comes out to the house to teach the family how to train their puppy.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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November 20, 2016, 10:00 pm
Wishing John Webster a happy 27th birthday! Here's a fun fact that you may not know about the guy who stole Alyssa's heart: He won 5th place in a national Bible quizzing competition. Pretty impressive, isn't it?
John Webster, Alyssa Webster, and Allie Jane Webster
Photo courtesy of UP
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November 21, 2016, 1:23 pm
Our giveaway is over, and we have chosen the winners! These five readers will receive a copy of Lawson Bates' newest CD, "What Country Means to Me":
Sara L.
Blessing Counter
Britt B.
Tiffany H.
Beth L.
Thanks to everyone who entered the raffle. If you didn't win, we encourage you to pick up a copy of the CD. (It would also make a wonderful Christmas gift.)
Visit Lawson's website to order a physical copy for $15, or v
isit iTunes to order the digital version for $9.99.
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November 22, 2016, 6:09 am
We know you all are eager to see more from the Bates family. New episodes of
Bringing Up Bates are on hold for the holidays, but as we shared with y'all in October, season five is set to premiere in early 2017.
We will still be blogging faithfully during the break, and UP will air reruns periodically.
Visit our Showtimes page for the current lineup.
What are you hoping to see in season five?
Photo courtesy of UP
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November 23, 2016, 7:00 am
For those who have been asking, some members of the Bates family did attend Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo's wedding on November 5th. Here's a photo that we think y'all will enjoy. Can you identify the little cutie pie that Lawson Bates is holding?
Photo courtesy lawsonbates.com
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November 23, 2016, 11:00 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers! May we all take this day to thank God for the many blessings we have been given.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? The Bates have a tradition of spending the holiday with Gil's parents, Papa Bill and Mama Jane, in South Carolina.
Mama Jane usually makes one large turkey, one turkey breast, and a ham. She also prepares mac 'n cheese (the Bates' favorite side), sweet potato casserole with double the toppings, and dressing.
Let's take a poll to see what y'all call that delicious turkey companion dish. Is it dressing or stuffing? The Bates, as well as many other Southerners, call it dressing. What do you think?
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November 25, 2016, 1:02 pm
Could there be another Bates wedding in the not-so-distant future? In the video below, Tori Bates shares why she is looking forward to Christmas, and it has to do with her boyfriend. Bobby. She also lets viewers in on a little secret: The seventh oldest child of Gil and Kelly Bates is hoping that her long-distant relationship will be over by the end of next semester.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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November 25, 2016, 4:00 pm
Alyssa and John Webster are looking forward to opening gifts on Christmas Eve with their family of three (soon to be four). Allie Webster is 19 months old and talking up a storm, so the young parents look forward to watching her experience the holiday in a new way.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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November 28, 2016, 7:07 am
UP has just announced the
Bringing Up Bates season five premiere date, and it's less than six weeks away! Mark your calendars for 9pm ET/8pm CT on January 5th, 2017.
The network also just released some clever new promo videos. These two feature Michaella, Brooklyn, Kaci, and Nathan. Stay tuned for more.
Photo/videos courtesy of UP
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November 29, 2016, 7:57 am
Did you enjoy the
promo videos that we posted yesterday? Here are a few more.
In the first video, Erin provides distracting entertainment to her colleagues at UP headquarters, while Tori and Josie take a break from office work to curl their hair and snap a selfie. Jackson Bates gives some tough love to a coworker who just wants a bagel, while Warden and Isaiah come up with a simple way to increase ratings. Which is your favorite?
Season five of
Bringing Up Bates premieres at 9pm ET/8pm CT on Thursday, January 5th.
Erin (Bates) Paine, Tori Bates, Josie Bates
Warden Bates and Isaiah Bates Photo/videos courtesy of UP
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November 29, 2016, 10:30 am
Erin and Chad Paine are looking forward to Christmas, but they aren't too ecstatic about driving all the way to Oklahoma with two babies, as you can tell from Erin's facial expression above. Hear from the young parents in the video below.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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November 29, 2016, 1:00 pm
How did the Bates celebrate Thanksgiving? Everyone met in South Carolina for the annual family lunch with Gil's parents--Papa Bill and Mama Jane--and siblings. The four married Bates were also able to spend time with their spouse's relatives. Here are a few snapshots:
Cousins Bradley Bates, Allie Jane Webster, and Carson Paine
Michaela and Brandon Keilen
Michael and Brandon share a meal with Brandon's family
Erin and Chad spend time with Chad's family
Alyssa Webster, John Webster, and Allie Jane Webster
Allie Jane Webster
Zach Bates, Whitney Bates, Bradley Bates, and Kaci Bates
Photos courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates, Alyssa and John Webster, chadanderin.com, brandonlovesmichaela.com
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November 30, 2016, 2:23 pm
When do you start playing Christmas music? After Thanksgiving? On December 1st? In the video below, Gil and Kelly Bates admit that their family cranks up the festive tunes in October.
Now that four of the19 children are married and have to balance time with their in-laws, the Bates family doesn't always celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but Gil and Kelly say they don't mind at all. "It's a special time, no matter when we celebrate it," said Kelly in a recent interview with UP.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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December 1, 2016, 12:22 pm
"Christmas is my favorite time of year, always has been."-Whitney BatesZach and Whitney Bates adore Christmas, and they aren't afraid to show it. They are looking forward to experiencing the magic of the season with Bradley and Kaci Lynn and telling them all about the meaning behind the holiday. Whitney also loves baking Christmas cookies and watching Christmas movies.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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December 3, 2016, 9:43 am
"[Christmas] is busy with all the gifts and the shopping....but when you finally settle down and it's Christmas week, it's always a really special time."
-Michaella Bates Keilen
This will be the second Christmas that Michael and Brandon Keilen will celebrate as a married couple. They share in the video below that they are looking forward to
making an ornament out of the stump of their first Christmas tree. Have you ever made a
Christmas tree stump ornament?
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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December 5, 2016, 5:42 am
Hope y'all had a relaxing weekend! Here's a cute video to brighten up your Monday morning. Watch 18-month-old Carson Paine showing off his knowledge with Aunt Katie Bates. You can hear Uncle Lawson Bates, who is videoing the scene, laughing at the end, when Carson is trying to undo his onesie to find his belly button.
Photo/video courtesy chadanderin.com
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December 6, 2016, 11:49 am
Last week, we shared a video featuring Michael and Brandon Keilen. (
Check out Saturday's post to watch.) In the clip, the Keilens explain what they love about Christmas, and they also mention the tree stump ornament that they would make to commemorate their first Christmas tree.
Yesterday evening, the talented Brandon Keilen pulled out his wood burning kit and turned this piece of wood into a beautiful keepsake. What do you think?
Photo courtesy of brandonlovesmichaela.com
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December 7, 2016, 11:04 am
With only seven weeks to go until Alyssa Webster's January 27th due date, she and husband John Webster have decided to announce the name they have chosen for their daughter. The couple is looking forward to the arrival of Lexi Mae Webster. When the baby comes, older sister Allie Jane Webster will be 21 months old.
Check out this video showing the Websters' newly decorated nursery. The curtains were made by Michael (Bates) Keilen, and the tree wall decal (shown above) is from
Simple Shapes. Isn't it clever how Alyssa saved space by putting the changing table in the closet?
If anyone has trouble viewing the video, we recommend trying a different device, as well as updating your version of Adobe Flash Player, if you are using a desktop or laptop computer.
Photo/video courtesy of Alyssa and John Webster
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December 8, 2016, 8:33 am
Bates family, 2015
Only four weeks to go until the Bates family returns to UP! The network just sent the press release for
Bringing Up Bates season five, which premieres at 9pm ET/8pm CT on Thursday, January 5th, 2017. What can you expect? Take a look at the summary below:
In season five of Bringing Up Bates
, it’s a time of “New Beginnings” for the family, as the entire crew takes on new and exciting challenges. Zach and Whitney are adjusting to life as parents to two kids, Erin and Chad are adjusting to a new baby and a new puppy, and Lawson takes on the challenge of launching his own concert tour. Meanwhile, Alyssa has some exciting news to share that will certainly change things for her and John, Tori sees her relationship with Bobby evolve into something more serious, and Carlin and Josie adjust to a new college and possible new careers. Trace takes the necessary steps to fulfill his dream of working at the Dixie Stampede, and Gil and Kelly Jo are forging full steam ahead with their dream – building a church. It’s certainly going to be a busy year full of big surprises for the Bates family. In case you missed UP's new promo videos--filmed during the Bates' recent visit to headquarters--and Christmas interview clips, here are the links:
Michaela and NathanErin, Tori, Josie, Jackson, Warden, and IsaiahErin and Chad Paine's Christmas PlansGil and Kelly Bates on the Meaning of ChristmasChristmas Magic with Zach and Whitney Bates Michael and Brandon Keilen Love ChristmasAlyssa and John Webster's Christmas Traditions Tori Bates' Christmas WishPhoto courtesy of UP
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