September 15, 2018, 11:13 am
Today is the last double Bates birthday of the year. Judson Bates is turning eight, while Brandon Keilen is turning 29.
Jeb Bates and Judson Bates
Judson Bates and Callie Bates
Michael Bates Keilen and Brandon Keilen
Brandon Keilen and Zoey Webster
Brandon Keilen
Skydiving as a 28th birthday present (Michael went at age 18)
Photos courtesy of thebatesfamily.com, brandonandmichaela.com
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September 17, 2018, 7:32 am
This Thursday on the penultimate episode of
Bringing Up Bates season seven, you'll watch footage from the gender reveal party for Tori and Bobby Smith's first child. (
Visit our June 21st post to find out if it will be a he or a she.) This baby will be the ninth Bates grandchild, and with
many more to come, the family is concerned that they will soon run out of new ideas for gender reveal parties.
Photo/video courtesy of UPv
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September 18, 2018, 2:48 pm
With
Josie and Kelton's wedding just around the corner, Gil and Kelly Bates are scrambling to prepare for their sixth child to walk down the aisle. The big event will take place on October 5th in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Josie and Kelton will each have six people standing up with them on their wedding day. Alyssa Webster is the maid of honor, and the bridesmaids are Katie Bates, Whitney Bates, Carlin Bates, Kelton's sister Ariana, and one other. Bobby Smith is the best man, and the groomsmen are Evan Stewart, Trace Bates, Kelton's brother Grant, and two others.
Josie Bates and Kelton Balka
Utah proposal trip
Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com
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September 19, 2018, 1:19 pm
Tori Bates Smith is approaching the 31-week mark in her pregnancy. Robert Ellis Smith IV is due November 24th. Tori and Bobby have chosen to call him Kade because they say it is Latin for "fourth generation."
Unlike her sisters, Tori has not shared many details about her pregnancy. During a recent visit with the family in Rocky Top, this photo was taken. The siblings are all eager to feel the baby move!
Tori Bates Smith
Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com
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September 20, 2018, 8:12 am
In preparation for fall, which officially starts in two days, Carlin Bates got a new hairdo. Just a few days ago, she was rocking a head of blonde hair, and now she's a brunette. What do you think of the transformation?
Carlin Bates (after)
Carlin Bates (before)
We know you are probably wondering what Carlin's natural hair color is, and the answer is brunette. That is true for most of the Bates ladies, although the shades differ.
Carlin Bates and Tori Bates, October 2015
Bates family beach vacation, 2006
Photos courtesy of Carlin Bates, thebatesfamily.com, UP
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September 20, 2018, 6:30 pm
Bringing Up Bates "Pink Or Blue, What Do You Think?"- “When I found out Tori was expecting, the first thing I said is, ‘Can I plan you a gender reveal party?’” says Erin, who loves parties. Tori and Bobby arrive at the event, attended by the entire Bates family and hosted under a pavilion at a local park. The gender is soon to be revealed, but that doesn’t stop the family from trying to pull the news out of the parents-to-be.
- Gender reveal parties are a newer thing for the Bates because Gil and Kelly enjoyed waiting until birth to find out the gender of their babies.
- After lunch, everyone divides into two groups, which turn out to be about even, based on their guess. To make the announcement, Tori and Bobby fill a balloon with blue powder, and then Tori pitches the balloon to bobby, who hits it with a bat. Both Tori and Bobby admit that they were hoping for a boy first. His name will be Robert Ellis Smith IV, but his nickname will be Kade. Bobby says it’s Latin for “fourth generation.”
- At Zach and Whitney’s house one morning, they discuss plans for their vow renewal over breakfast with the kids. They are all eating Honey Nut Cheerios, which Bradley and Kaci love. “I like Cheerios, with milk and a spoon,” says Bradley.
- “We always ate off-brand everything growing up, except for Honey Nut Cheerios,” says Zach.
- Later, Kelton shares his proposal plans with his father, two sisters, and two brothers. “It’s a huge relief that all these plans are coming together,” he says “Now that we’re getting things locked down, it’s starting to hit how excited I am that I actually get to propose in Utah.”
- “We kind of have an idea of when we want to get married, but I don’t have a ring, and it needs to change soon, so hopefully those plans are in the making,” says Josie.
- On the big day, Kelton picks up pink roses at Powell Florist and drives over to Josie's place of employment. “As I was walking up to her salon, my heart was just pounding in my chest,” admits Kelton. “I was not expecting to be so nervous.”
- When Josie sees Kelton and asks him why he's there, he responds: “I have some bad news and some good news, okay? The bad news is, I don’t think your next client is going to show up because that’s a fake appointment. The good news is, we’re going on a trip. We’re going to take you somewhere that you’ve always wanted to go, and we’re going right now.”
- Josie shares she has never been one for surprises but that she has come to enjoy Kelton’s surprises.
- Gil and Kelly present Josie with a cake decorated with graham crackers and a cactus to see if she can guess the destination, which she does.
- At the start of the trip, Kelton presents Josie with a charm bracelet and an airplane charm. Along the way, he will give her additional charms: a heart that says “best friends” to symbolize the start of their relationship; a coffee cup because they have shared many coffee dates; a bridge because Kelton asked Josie to court while standing on a covered bridge; and an infinity symbol.
Tune in next week for the final episode of season seven, which will feature the proposal!
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September 21, 2018, 7:43 am
Today, the Bates are celebrating the birthday of their only daughter-in-law. Gil and Kelly have four married daughters, which means they have four--soon to be five--sons-in-law, but as of yet, only one of their sons is married. Happy 25th, Whitney!
Zach and Whitney are approaching their five-year wedding anniversary this December. (Can you believe it?) They have two beautiful children and
one waiting for them in heaven.
Whitney Bates and Kaci Bates, Christmas 2016
Carlin Bates, Erin Paine, Whitney Bates, February 2018
Zach and Whitney Bates, Christmas 2016
Zach Bates, Whitney Bates, Bradley Bates, July 2015
Photos courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates
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September 21, 2018, 9:10 am
The big engagement episode is just around the corner!
Bringing Up Bates "A Monumental Proposal" premieres next Thursday on UP and will be one hour long. In the video below, Kelton Balka finalizes his plans, but when he calls a coffee shop to ask for help, the woman who answers has an important but unexpected question for him. His father and siblings enjoy listening in on the conversation.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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September 21, 2018, 6:50 pm
Hope all my blog readers are having a relaxing Friday evening (or Saturday morning for my wonderful international readers). Just wanted to share my Bates Fan File segment for this week. Who else is sad that there is only one episode of
Bringing Up Bates to go before season seven comes to a close?
Video courtesy of UP
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September 22, 2018, 3:46 am
Tori and Bobby Smith are just weeks away from meeting little Robert Ellis Smith IV, due November 24th. While she lived in Knoxville, Tori saw Dr. Vick, who has done obstetrics for multiple members of the Bates family, but fans have been wondering what she is going to do now that she lives in Nashville.
Tori is planning to have the baby at a birthing center that is located inside a hospital. The birth will be attended by a doctor, and she will have access to emergency care if needed.
Photo courtesy of Tori and Bobby Smith
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September 24, 2018, 8:36 am
Here's an exciting announcement to kick off your Monday. The Bates family has some big news, and the network will be revealing it by the end of the week! What do you think it is?
Photo courtesy of UP
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September 24, 2018, 10:31 am
The big Bates secret has been revealed.
Carlin Bates is engaged to Evan Stewart! The proposal took place over the weekend at Portland Head Lighthouse,
reports PEOPLE Magazine. Evan surprised Carlin with a trip to Maine. After taking a limo to the proposal location, the couple shared a dance to live cello music. With both parents watching from a distance, Evan got down on one knee and pulled out a gorgeous ring...and Carlin said yes! Photos coming soon.
Photo courtesy of Carlin Bates
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September 24, 2018, 11:14 am
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September 24, 2018, 1:57 pm
Earlier today, we posted Carlin and Evan's engagement message and photos, and now we're topping it off with a video from the couple, filmed soon after the proposal.
Photo/video courtesy of UP
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September 25, 2018, 11:41 am
The
Bringing Up Bates season seven finale premieres this Thursday, but UP has just announced a start date for season eight! As in past years, the network will kick off the New Year with all-new episodes of the Bates. The official date is Thursday, January 3rd, during the usual 9pm ET/8pm CT time slot.
Photo courtesy of UP
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September 26, 2018, 8:57 am
"There’s something about seeing your child happy. That brings the most fulfillment. And knowing how happy that Josie is going to be when Kelton surprises her…I’ve been counting down the days for this."-Kelly BatesOnly one day to go until Josie and Kelton's "monumental" engagement airs on reality TV! You'll watch the couple explore the unique sites of Arches National Park, followed by an emotional proposal in a breathtaking location.
Meanwhile, the other Bates siblings pull off a surprise of their own--they're redecorating the Bates house. Check out these two videos, and be sure to tune in to the hour-long
Bringing Up Bates season finale tomorrow at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UPtv.
Photo/videos courtesy of UPtv
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September 26, 2018, 4:03 pm
Yesterday, we
announced the season eight premiere date--Thursday, January 3, 2019. Season seven will end with Josie and Kelton's engagement tomorrow evening, so what's in store for season eight? The answer is simple: a lot of excitement!
"We are excited to kick off 2019 with the return of our beloved series 'Bringing Up Bates,'" said
Timothy Kuryak, UPtv senior vice president of production and development, in a press release. “In the new season, the Bates family continues to grow through new relationships, weddings, and babies."
In 2019, you can look forward to watching Josie Bates and Kelton Balka's wedding, Zach and Whitney Bates' vow renewal, and
Evan Stewart's proposal to Carlin Bates. You will also walk alongside Tori and Bobby Smith as they
prepare to welcome their first child, and you'll receive updates from the Bates family members facing fertility struggles.
Brace yourself--the Bates have a lot in store!
Photo courtesy of UPtv
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September 27, 2018, 8:48 am
"When I saw some of the terrain that we were fixin' to go over, I just knew I was missing out on hearing my wife scream in that car. That's one of my favorite things."-Gil BatesKelton's proposal may be romantic, but the off-road sightseeing tour that he plans certainly isn't. Sandwiched between Josie and his future mother-in-law, Kelton laughs as the two Bates women flip out. Kelly is especially scared (video below). Can you commiserate with her, or would you have enjoyed the ride? Be sure to tune in for the
Bringing Up Bates season seven finale tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UPtv.
Photo/video courtesy of UPtv
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September 27, 2018, 7:00 pm
Bringing Up Bates "A Monumental Proposal"- After Kelton surprises her at work, Josie has to run home to pack. When Josie, Kelton, and the parents arrive in Utah, they are amazed by the beautiful scenery.
- “My nerves had been high when I asked Josie at work to come on this trip, but when we landed, I thought everything was going to calm down a little bit, and really my nerves just kept building the entire time,” says Kelton.
- The group arrives at their rental condo in Moab, and Kelton gives Josie the first packet, which represents the first stage of their relationship—the “best friend” stage. The packet contains a handwritten letter, pictures, and a best friend charm for Josie’s bracelet. “I was just amazed at the thoughtfulness,” says Kelly.
- The following day, the first stop is Eklecticafe. When the server brings out coffee, he presents Josie with the next packet, representing the “boyfriend/girlfriend” stage. The packet has another letter, more pictures, and another charm (a coffee cup).
- As the engagement unfolds, Kelly films the highlights on her phone and sends the videos to the rest of the family.
- Kelton has planned a sightseeing tour of Arches National Park in a 4x4 vehicle. Michael and Kelton arrange for one of the Navtec Expeditions employees to place the next two packets in two scenic locations ahead of Josie and Kelton's arrival.
- When the road gets bumpy, Kelly starts freaking out. “…Every time Mrs. Bates would get in apanic about something, [the guide/driver] would just continue to antagonize and make it worse,” laughs Kelton.
- At Double Arch, Kelton leads Josie to the third packet, representing their courtship. He gives her a bridge charm, another letter, and more pictures. “There’s something about seeing your child happy,” says Kelly. “That brings the most fulfillment. And knowing how happy that Josie is going to be when Kelton surprises her…I’ve been counting down the days for this.”
- The final destination is Tower Arch. Josie notices that Kelton is becoming increasingly nervous, and she expects that the big moment has arrived. The final packet (the engagement stage), is sitting at the proposal spot. While Josie is looking at the infinity charm, Kelton gets down on one knee.
- “Josie Bates, you are the love of my life, and I don’t want to do life or live without you," Kelton says. "Everything that we have been through together has brought us to this point, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’re the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?” Josie says yes!
- “I am completely blown away by all of the planning and work and sentiment that Kelton put into the trip and the engagement, and now I’m just excited to get married,” says Josie.
- “It seems like, as soon as we check one thing off of our calendar, ten more things are added to the calendar,” says Kelly. “It’s like the calendar keeps growing just like the family keeps growing.”
- Back at the Bates house, Carlin and the Paines head up a huge cleaning and redecorating project as a surprise for Gil and Kelly. They repaint the living room and dining room white, and they repaint the exterior doors and dining table blue. They also de-clutter. “I don’t’ know what Dad would have thought if he was here just because he’s a pack rat,” says Erin. The finishing touches are new decorations and family photos for the walls.
- Meanwhile, Zach and Whitney sit down with the owner of Hunter Valley Farm, the venue for their upcoming vow renewal, to discuss decorations and logistics. Whitney says there are two reasons why they are doing a vow renewal: she wants to show Zach how much she still loves him, and she wants to honor her parents because they missed out on her wedding.
- As always, Zach is all about the food. “Everything could fall apart that day, but as long as we have good food, he’s going to be okay,” says Whitney.
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September 27, 2018, 7:35 pm
Things are getting real for Josie and Kelton! They have their marriage license and are looking forward to tying the knot in just eight days.
Kelton Balka and Josie Bates
Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com
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