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A Big Surprise for Mama Bates

February 1, 2017, 6:26 am
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Tomorrow's new episode of Bringing Up Bates will be one hour long! Kicking off at 9pm ET/8pm CT, Gil and the kids attempt to pull off a surprise for Kelly's 50th birthday that they have been working on for months. Scroll down for promo videos and a written summary.



Thursday, February 2, 2017
8pm ET: A Birthday and A Birdie
8:30pm ET: Doggy Dilemmas
9pm ET: Surprise! Kelly Jo's Big 5-0! (NEW!)
It's a milestone birthday for the Bates matriarch, and the family wants to make sure it's a birthday Kelly Jo will never forget! After months of planning, the time has finally come to celebrate Kelly Jo's 50th. To make sure the surprise stays intact, Gil takes Kelly Jo on a romantic getaway to Chattanooga, Tennessee, or so she thinks. Meanwhile, the Bates kids are scrambling behind the scenes to pull off this major event and surprise Kelly Jo with a Bates-style celebration!
10pm ET: Surprise! Kelly Jo's Big 5-0!

 Photos/videos courtesy of UP
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Webster Sisters

February 2, 2017, 6:33 am
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Lexi Mae Webster is one week old! She was born Thursday, January 26th, at 7:20pm, weighing 6 pounds 2 ounces and measuring 20 inches long.

Lexi Mae Webster, 6 days old

Older sister Allie Jane Webster made her grand debut on Saturday, April 11, 2015. She weighed several ounces more than her little sister (6 pounds 11 ounces) but also measured 20 inches long. Do you think Allie and Lexi look similar?

Allie Jane Webster, 11 days old

For those who guessed Lexi's arrival date, birth weight, and birth length, we have the winners. So many of you were so close!

Karol, JJ, Emma, Norma, and Mum-2-8 correctly guessed the arrival date of January 26th, which also happened to be Australia Day. Verna and an anonymous reader nailed the birth weight (6 pounds 2 ounces), while Verna and Piper came up with the right birth length (20 inches).

Photos courtesy of Alyssa and John Webster
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Photos From Kelly's Birthday Weekend

February 2, 2017, 2:13 pm
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Tune in to UP tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for an hour-long, all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates. It's Kelly Bates' 50th birthday, and Gil and the kids have a ton of surprises in store for her. Scroll down to see snapshots and watch another sneak peek video.























Photos courtesy of UP
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'Surprise! Kelly Jo's Big 5-0!' Recap

February 2, 2017, 7:00 pm
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Bringing Up Bates"Surprise! Kelly Jo's Big 5-0!"

  • When Kelly’s 50th birthday rolls around, Gil tells her he is taking her on a romantic overnight. Little does she know that the kids are planning a big surprise.
  • “Mom is turning 50,” says Lawson. “That just doesn’t seem right.”
  • “Old changes every year,” states Jackson, wisely. “When you turn 20, 20’s not old anymore. Fifty is. When you turn 50, 50’s not old anymore. Eighty is. When you turn 80, you’re old.”
  • When Mom and Dad finally pull out of the driveway, the kids kick it into high gear so they can get out of the house quickly. “Now honestly, I think the only key to being on time places is leave Mom and Dad behind,” says Tori.
  • Erin, the head planner, thinks Kelly suspects something is up, but when she receives a phone call from her mom asking where she thinks Gil might be taking her, she realizes her mom is clueless.
  • Erin and Chad, Zach and Whitney, and most of the siblings arrive at the cabin, located near Chattanooga. Erin assigns bedrooms and starts decorating, while Zach makes pasta for dinner.
  • Gil sends a text to the kids saying he is five minutes away, but the kids tell him to stall. “There was a cemetery off to the left,” says Gil. “I said, ‘Hey, I bet there’s some Civil War people buried in there!’” That gives Erin enough time to assemble all the kids in the kitchen. The owner of the cabin greets Gil and Kelly at the door and pretends they have arrived at a bed and breakfast.
  • When Kelly walks in and hears the kids shout “Surprise! Happy birthday!” she is completely shocked.
  • The Websters arrive later. The next morning, every wakes up early and heads to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to ride a train. Kelly says she has loved trains every since she was little. When her parents got divorced, her dad moved to Chattanooga and would take Kelly to the Chattanooga Choo Choo when she visited.
  • The family meets up with the Keilens and enjoys a picnic at a local park.
  • Later that evening, it’s time for presents. Kelly is blown away when she receives a new wedding ring from Gil. (She lost hers when she let Jeb play with it.) Then everyone shares praises and tears of joy. “It just got really emotional really fast,” says Nathan.
  • To top it all off, the kids show Kelly a video featuring Brandon’s drawings and praises from the kids. 
  • "It was special for us to see that we had been able to give back just a piece of what she's done for us over the years," says Michael.
  • "It was definitely the biggest thing that's ever been done for me by anybody, and the fact that they all did it together..." says Kelly.

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Kelly's Selflessness

February 4, 2017, 6:19 am
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"She's the star example for all of us. She's supposed to be the birthday girl, and...she's the last one to finally get anything and sit down and eat."

-Gil Bates

What did you think of Thursday's new episode of Bringing up Bates? (Click here to read our recap.) In the scene below, Gil and the kids beg Kelly Jo to sit down and relax, but she insists on fulfilling her regular duties as a mommy by cleaning up messes and making plates for the little ones. Even on her birthday, she puts her own needs last.



Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Courtship on the Horizon

February 6, 2017, 8:10 am
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"Courtship, that was all a new idea to Bobby, and he really wanted to make it special for Tori. It was really sweet."
-Kelly Bates

Coming up this Thursday on Bringing Up Bates, Tori Bates, accompanied by most of her family, travels down to Florida to meet up with Bobby. The two have been in a relationship for one year, but they aren't "official." In addition to a bunch of exciting surprises, Bobby has an important question to ask his gal. Visit our Showtimes page for TV listings, and check out the promo videos below.



Photo/videos courtesy of UP
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Brooklyn Paine's 6-Month Milestone

February 6, 2017, 4:34 pm
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Are you ready for one of the most adorable baby pictures you've ever seen? Brooklyn Paine is six months old today, and she is as cute as a button.


And here are the other monthly photos that Erin has taken of her daughter. Which is your favorite?










Photos courtesy of Erin and Chad Paine (chadanderin.com)
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Allie Jane's Toddler Chatter

February 7, 2017, 1:46 pm
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Allie Jane Webster is only two months away from her second birthday, and she is becoming quite the talker. "It's been a lot of fun," shares Alyssa Bates Webster. "I love this stage." One of Allie's favorite words is "uh-oh," as she demonstrates in the video below. Don't you just love her little face when she laughs?



Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Photos: Tori and Bobby in Florida

February 8, 2017, 9:26 am
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Tomorrow night on Bringing Up Bates (airs at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP), Tori and the Bates family meet up with Bobby for a fun-filled vacation in Florida. Bobby has been in an unofficial relationship with Tori for one year and is ready to ask her to take the next step.

The episode, appropriately titled "I 'Donut Know What I'd Do Without You," will give viewers a behind the scenes look at all the wonderful surprises Bobby shares with Tori throughout the week, including one big surprise that sweeps Tori off her feet. Check out the snapshots below for a preview.

Just minutes before Tori arrives with the rest of the family, a few of the Bates siblings scramble to help Bobby decorate the condo.


Tori is blown away when she walks in.


The Bates love the beach! They have been spending vacations in Florida since the older kids were infants. (Click here to view throwback photos.)


Tori and Bobby enjoy quality time together, which is something they don't often get. (Bobby attends school in Florida, while Tori is working on an education degree at a college close near Knoxville.)



One of the activities that Bobby has planned is parasailing.




Gil and Kelly Bates always enjoy making memories with their children.




If Tori and Bobby tie the knot, Carlin Bates (18) and Josie Bates (17) will be the oldest, unmarried Bates daughters.


Bobby and the Bates bring out their competitive sides at a nearby mini-golf course. 





Photos courtesy of UP
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'The Jungle Book' Giveaway

February 8, 2017, 11:00 pm
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Have you heard of Jim Weiss? He is a world renowned storyteller who has created audio recordings of dozens of beloved, family-friendly classics, including The Jungle Book, A Christmas Carol, Arabian Nights, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Tale of Two Cities, and multiple titles by G.A. Henty.

I (Ellie) recently had the pleasure of meeting Jim and his wife, Randy, and they graciously agreed to sponsor two giveaways for my blog readers. This week, I'm giving away four copies of The Jungle Book. Head over to my personal blog, NashvilleWife.com, to enter to win.
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Tori's Courtship Starts Tonight

February 9, 2017, 10:37 am
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Tonight is the night when Tori Bates and Bobby Smith start their courtship! A 30-minute, all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates premieres at 9pm ET/8pm CT. Scroll down to view TV listings and watch a promo video.

Thursday, February 9, 2017
9am: Welcome Grandbaby Bates
8pm: Surprise! Kelly Jo's Big 5-0!
9pm: I 'Donut' Know What I'd Do Without You (NEW!)
Love is in the air! It's Tori and Bobby's '1 year' anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, Tori and the entire Bates family are headed to Florida to visit Bobby! Tori wants to share some fun in the sun with her boyfriend, but he's planned a bigger surprise for his leading lady. Is an 'official courtship' on the horizon? In between putt-putt, parasailing and beach time, Tori is left to ponder when Bobby will 'pop' the big question!
10pm: I 'Donut' Know What I'd Do Without You


Photo/video courtesy of UP

On another note, how would you like to win $1,000? To enter to win, create a login at WatchUPandWin.com. Look for the secret entry phrase tonight while you're watching Bringing Up Bates, and enter it into the sweepstakes page. Visit the sweepstakes page for official rules.
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Official Courtship

February 9, 2017, 4:26 pm
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"Our courtship is officially official! We’re beyond excited and can’t wait to see what God has in store for our future. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support; it means the world!"
-Tori Bates and Bobby Smith

Tori met Bobby through a mutual friend over fall break in 2015, and the two started courting during a family Florida vacation over fall break in 2016 (shown on tonight's episode). Tori is attending The Crown College of the Bible near Knoxville, Tennessee, and has three more semesters left in her education degree, while Bobby is a senior at Pensacola Christian in Pensacola, Florida.

The courtship became official during a sunset dinner on the beach. Scroll down to see a few snapshots, and visit the gallery on the UP website for more.








Photos courtesy of UP
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"I 'Donut' Know What I'd Do Without You" Recap

February 9, 2017, 6:30 pm
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Bringing Up Bates "I 'Donut' Know What I'd Do Without You"

  • It's fall break 2016. Tori and Bobby met each other one year ago through a mutual friend, who happened to be Bobby’s roommate. “Their first meeting was at the beach,” says Kelly. “Daddy told Tori… ‘Whatever you do, Tori, don’t dive in too soon,’ and Tori said, ‘It’s too late.’” Courtship is new to Bobby, and when he talked about starting a courtship soon after meeting Tori, Gil advised him to get to know Tori better first.
  • The Bates are spending fall break in Pensacola, Florida, with Bobby, and Tori is convinced that Bobby is going to ask her to start a courtship.
  • Lawson, Nathan, Carlin, Josie, and Jackson arrive at the Pensacola condo 30 minutes before the rest of the family. Bobby recruits them to help decorate for Tori’s arrival. They put up signs, balloons, and beach-themed décor to remind Tori of the first week she met Bobby. One of the signs says: “Of all the fish in the sea, I’m so glad you chose me.” Another says: “In my ‘court’ room you have been found guilty because you have absolutely and completely stolen my heart.”
  • The decorations give Tori a pretty good idea of what’s coming, but she doesn’t know when it will happen.
  • Later that afternoon, the family goes mini-golfing at Fast Eddie’s Fun Center. While they golf, Tori and Bobby share a few hugs. Kelly says the courtship rules have gotten a bit more relaxed over the years.
  • The next morning, the Bates meet up with Bobby’s family and John and Alyssa for a dolphin cruise.
  • Bobby pulls his parents, Gil and Kelly, and Alyssa aside to discuss plans for the sunset dinner that evening. “I think you should surprise them all and just get engaged,” jokes Alyssa. “Dad would be the most surprised.” “Who invited her to this conversation?” responds Gil, laughing.
  • The next event is parasailing. Tori is scared at first, but she ends up enjoying it. “When we got up there, 600 feet away from everyone else, that was really nice,” she admits.
  • That evening, the moms, Alyssa, and one of Bobby’s sisters set up a table on the beach, while Gil and Bobby’s dad pick up food for two from Outback Steak House.
  • When everyone leaves and Tori and Bobby arrive at the dinner spot, Bobby gives Tori a beautiful infinity bracelet. “I know this is one step along the way, but are you ready to go with me?” he asks Tori. She says yes! The parents come out to congratulate them, and then they leave so the couple can enjoy their dinner.
  • “You pray when your children are born about who they’re going to marry and will God bring the right person along,” says Gil. “I think Bobby and Tori are definitely moving in the right direction.”
  • “More than any of the other couples, I think when I’m looking at Tori and Bobby, I’m looking at a little Kelly Jo and Gil in a lot of ways,” Kelly adds. Gil jokes that they might just end up having 19 kids.
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Webster Party of 4 (Photos)

February 10, 2017, 12:26 pm
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Lexi Mae Webster is two weeks old! Last weekend, the Webster family of four had an in-home photo session with the talented Emily Knuth of Emily Knuth Photography. Here are a few previews of the shoot.

To learn more about Emily, check out her website and Facebook page.

John Webster, Alyssa Bates Webster, 
Allie Jane Webster, Lexi Mae Webster

 Alyssa Webster and Lexi Webster

Lexi Mae Webster

Photos courtesy of Emily Knuth Photography; may not be used without written permission
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Boat Ride Blues

February 11, 2017, 1:03 pm
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"One thing you don't want to do is read your kid the story about the Titanic right before he goes on a boat."
-Warden Bates

Unfortunately, Kelly Bates didn't get that memo. During a homeschool lesson before the family's fall 2016 trip to Florida, she read the little ones a children's book about the Titanic and taught them all about what had made the boat sink.

When the Bates boarded a dolphin cruise with Bobby's family, four-year-old Jeb Bates was scared stiff. "I thought I was going to hit an iceberg," he said later. Check out the video below.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Bates Steak Dinner Date

February 13, 2017, 11:26 am
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"When I was in high school, I would have never dreamed I would have been married with two kids at 23."
-Whitney Bates

In this video clip, Zach and Whitney Bates go on a dinner date to Ye Olde Steak House, the restaurant Gil and Kelly Bates ordered a celebratory meal from after each of their kids was born. Life with two babies is busy, but Zach and Whitney take advantage of every opportunity to spend time alone.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Adorable Bates Grandbabies

February 14, 2017, 5:42 am
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Now that Lexi Mae Webster has arrived, Gil and Kelly Bates have six adorable grandchildren. Last week, we shared a six-month portrait of Brooklyn Paine and a few snapshots from the Websters' recent photo shoot. Now it's time for updated pictures of Bradley Bates, Carson Paine, and Kaci Lynn Bates.

Bradley, the oldest Bates grandchild, turned two in October. His little sister, Kaci Lynn, is seven months old. According to parents Zach and Whitney Bates, the two are inseparable, and Bradley loves giving Kaci hugs and kisses.

 Bradley Bates and Kaci Lynn Bates

As of today, Carson is 21 months old. His little sister, Brooklyn Elise, arrived when he was just shy of 15 months.

 Carson Paine

With two kids who are so close in age, you can imagine how close the bond is between Whitney Bates and Erin Paine.

Whitney Bates, Kaci Lynn Bates, Brooklyn Paine, Erin Bates Paine

Photos courtesy of chadanderin.com, Zach and Whitney Bates
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Erin's Unique Love 'Letters'

February 14, 2017, 11:30 am
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"I did not realize that you could just mail things without a package."
-Erin Paine

Happy Valentine's Day! While Erin and Chad were in a long distance courtship, they both enjoyed sending and receiving mail. Chad wrote heartfelt letters, while Erin took a more unconventional approach. In the video below, they recall some of the crazy things she sent through USPS before they were married.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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Prepping for Lawson's Big Concert

February 15, 2017, 6:05 am
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We have one final sneak peek scene to share before tomorrow's new episode of Bringing Up Bates... 

Lawson, who is gearing up for a big charity concert, walks around town with Carlin hanging fliers to promote the event. He informs his sister that Emily Ann Roberts, who sings on a couple of the songs on the "What Country Means to Me" record, is not able to make it to the show. Lawson has someone in mind to fill in for Emily Ann, but Carlin isn't sure it's a good idea.


Photo/video courtesy of UP
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A Concert and a Date Night

February 16, 2017, 12:34 pm
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A new episode of Bringing Up Bates is coming your way in less than six hours! It kicks off at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP.


As they show opens, Lawson Bates receives a bunch of copies of his new CD, "What Country Means to Me." The family rejoices with him as he opens the boxes and reflects on the hundreds of hours of work that went into creating the album.



Zach and Whitney Bates drop their kids off with the family and head to Ye Old Steak House for a date night. They reflect on all that has happened in just three years of marriage.



When the night of the show rolls around, Lawson becomes nervous when a few hiccups cause things to go less smoothly than expected.



In an emotional moment, Lawson is joined by three of his little friends from the children's hospital, who help him sing a round of "Jesus Loves Me." The crowd is in tears, especially proud dad Gil Bates. 


Lawson honors children's hospital patient AJ, whose family has become close friends of the Bates.


Despite her trepidation, Carlin Bates agrees to join Lawson on stage for a duet.




Photos courtesy of UP
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