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Bates Bachelor Party

February 12, 2019, 10:35 am
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"Not only could we get shaved and our hair trimmed up, but there was also pool tables, root beer, so it really felt like a bachelor party, like a bunch of guys getting together, spending some quality time."
-Kelton Balka

Just before the wedding, Kelton and his groomsmen meet at Frank's Barber Shop, which turns out to be more than just an average barber shop. But Kelton has strict orders from Josie to prevent anyone from touching his hair. Meanwhile, Evan Stewart tries a new procedure that has Carlin laughing when she hears about it later.


Photo/video courtesy of UPtv
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Postpone the Wedding?

February 13, 2019, 9:51 am
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Josie Bates Kelton Balka wedding

Postpone the wedding? Is that really necessary? Josie Bates and Kelton Balka are ready to tie the knot, but when a bunch of their guests are delayed arriving at the venue, they must make a difficult decision. The Bates-Balka wedding episode airs tomorrow at 9pm ET/8pm CT. The best part is that it's a full hour long! What better show to watch on Valentine's Day than a romantic wedding?


Photo/video courtesy of UPtv
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Balka Party of 3

February 13, 2019, 10:42 am
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Josie and Kelton Balka, Bahamas honeymoon
Their wedding episode airs tomorrow, but Josie and Kelton Balka have an exciting announcement to make ahead of the show. They are going to be parents! Four months after saying "I do," the newlyweds are excited to share that their family will be growing.

Baby Balka (that has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) is due in July 2019, and Josie has been struggling with morning sickness, which seems to be common among the Bates women. That's all the information that has been released thus far, but we will share more details as we receive them. The couple has not announced the gender. InTouch has an announcement photo, which features Josie and Kelton holding balloons that say "Baby Balka," on its website.

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

Photo courtesy of Josie and Kelton Balka
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Missing His Mom

February 14, 2019, 10:09 am
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Erin Bates Paine and Brooklyn Paine


"When I saw my father walking up to the front by himself, that was the first time that [the emotions] really hit me, and I was struggling a lot with that. Bobby knew exactly what was going on, and he pulled me over and started praying with me right there."
-Kelton Balka

Have you heard the big news? Josie and Kelton Balka are expecting! But before we start focusing on their preparations for parenthood, we first must watch their wedding episode. It airs tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT, in honor of Valentine's Day.

Scroll down for photos and another episode preview. As usual for Bates weddings, you'll likely need a stash of tissues as you watch tonight. As many of you know, Kelton's mother passed away when he was thirteen, and as you'll see in the scene below, the wedding was an especially emotional time without her there.

Picking up the backdrop for the ceremony
 
Whitney Bates paints Brooklyn Paine's nails
Whitney Bates paints Brooklyn Paine's nails

Josie Bates Kelton Balka wedding
Kelton gets ready with his groomsmen
 
Josie Bates Bringing Up Bates wedding
Flower girls and ring bearers
 
Gil Bates and Josie Bates
Gil Bates and Josie Bates (now Josie Balka)


Photos/video courtesy of UPtv
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'A Bride, A Groom, and a Love That's True' Recap

February 14, 2019, 6:59 pm
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Bringing Up Bates "A Bride, A Groom, and a Love That's True"

  • Three days before the wedding, the Bates still have a lot to do. Renee arrives with the completed dress, and it’s time for the final fitting. “I was so excited to see Josie try on her wedding dress,” says Callie. “I was actually really sad also because your older sister’s getting married and stuff, so.”
  • Josie still thinks her hips look too big, but Kelly says they don’t. “Guys like that,” says Kelly, using her hands to emphasize big hips.
  • Ellie, Addallee, and Callie head outside to spray paint lanterns left over from Tori’s wedding. The girls are excited to be able to help with wedding preparations.
  • Gil and Lawson visit a friend who is a metal fabricator to pick up a metal hoop that will be covered in greenery and flowers and be the backdrop for the ceremony. Strapping it down in the back of the pickup truck is a challenge, so Lawson sits in the bed with it while they drive through town. “Somebody is going to have to ride back there with it, and I am not riding back there if Lawson’s driving,” says Gil.
  • “Lawson, if you fall out, just don’t let the thing fall out,” jokes Gil. “Josie can get married without you, I guess. She can’t get married without this.”
  • It’s the day before the wedding, and the Balkas as setting up for the rehearsal dinner. The Bates offer to help, but Kelton’s father assures them that he has plenty of assistance from the females in his family. “Our heart went out to Mr. Balka because with his wife being in heaven, he is left with planning this entire event,” says Kelly.
  • All the family members and close friend gather together to eat and hear speeches. Alyssa, matron of honor and Josie’s “partner” growing up, kicks it off. “Josie, I love you, and I am so proud of you,” she says.
  • Next, it’s time for best man Bobby to say a few words. For the first time, he shares what Kelton told him on the phone a few years ago afterthe Bates decided it was time for Kelton and Josie to stop talking to eachother. “Kelton called me on the phone, absolutely crushed and in tears, and I’ll never forget what he said to me. He said, ‘This hurts as bad as anything I’ve felt in my life, but if God made me get close to Josie just so you could meet Tori, that’s okay with me.’”
  • That evening, Kelton and the groomsmen hang out at Frank’s Barbershop. When Evan decides to get his nose hairs waxed, all the guys gather around to watch. Bobby and Kelton have the honor of yanking the wax sticks out. Evan says it doesn’t hurt as bad as he had imagined. Meanwhile, Kelly and the bridesmaids have their nails done.
  • On the morning of the wedding, all the bridesmaids and flower girls do their hair and makeup at a rental house. Even the little girls get all dolled up. Kelton and the guys get dressed at the Balkas’ new apartment.
  • Kelton gets a call from Kelly, who shares some bad news: traffic on the interstate is at a standstill due to a wreck, and some of the guests are going to be late. The decision is made to postpone the wedding one hour.
  • The wedding finally starts, and the family members, bridesmaids, and groomsmen begin walking down the aisle. “I had emotion building in me throughout the entire day,” says Kelton. “When I saw my father walking up to the front by himself, that was the first time that it really hit me, and I was struggling a lot with that. Bobby knew exactly what was going on, and he pulled me over and started praying with me right there."
  • When Josie and Gil begin walking towards Kelton, the groom starts bawling.
  • Gil leads the couple in their vows, which are traditional ones. “One of the sweetest things about our ceremony was that my dad could officiate it for us,” says Josie. Lawson performs an original song that he wrote for the bride and groom. “We’ve got crazy love, crazy dreams. Might not be millionaires, but you’re all I need.”
  • The ceremony is just about over, which means it’s time for the first kiss. “To kiss in front of 400 plus people is a lot of pressure, and it’s a little scary,” Josie says looking back. Kelton says he wanted a kiss that “looked sweet” and wasn’t too long because he knew he would be “fussed at” by both sides of the family if it was.
  • “You can see just the joy in both of their faces,” says Kelly. “I think that picture will be in my mind forever.”
  • Afterwards, the Bates and Balkas take family pictures, and then everyone heads inside to cool off. Even though it’s October, it’s very hot. At the reception, Josie smashes cake in Kelton’s face.
  • The couple’s getaway car is Kelton’s SUV. Next stop, the Bahamas!


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Crazy Love

February 15, 2019, 10:04 am
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"One long-standing tradition is [Lawson] finishes the song about, maybe an hour before the wedding, maybe two if he's lucky."
-Jackson Bates

For her wedding ceremony, Josie asked Lawson to write a song that is different than any of his other original songs. He came up with "Crazy Love," and it turned out great, although he was still adding the finishing touches just before the ceremony began. Check out our recap of last night's episode, and watch the video below for a snippet of the song.


Photo/video courtesy of UPtv
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Couples Dinner 2019

February 15, 2019, 6:54 pm
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The Bates' annual Valentine's Day (aka I Love You Day) celebration has begun! The family is gathered at the homestead in Rocky Top, Tennessee, and everyone is elated to spend the weekend together. Tonight is the couples' dinner.

Remember last year, when Nathan and Lawson "crashed" the couples' dinner? They said they were bringing dates, but those dates ended up being each other. Well they are joking about bringing dates again this year, but they have made it clear that they aren't in relationships. Stay tuned to find out if they try to play another joke.

Whitney Bates, Carlin Bates, Erin Paine, Tori Smith, Alyssa Webster
Whitney Bates, Carlin Bates, Erin Paine,
Tori Smith, Alyssa Webster

Photo courtesy of Alyssa and John Webster
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Bobby Turns 24

February 16, 2019, 12:42 am
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Wishing Bobby Smith a very happy 24th birthday!

Bobby Smith and Kade Smith Bringing Up Bates
Bobby Smith and his mom with newborn Kade Smith, November 2018
 
Evan Stewart, Carlin Bates, Tori Smith, Bobby Smith
Evan Stewart, Carlin Bates, Tori Smith, Bobby Smith
April 2018
 
Josie Bates, Kelton Balka, Bobby Smith
Josie Bates, Kelton Balka, Bobby Smith
Bringing Up Bates season 6
 
Tori Bates and Bobby Smith honeymoon
Tori and Bobby Smith, honeymoon
December 2017

Tori Bates and Bobby Smith start their official courtship
Tori Bates and Bobby Smith start their official courtship
Bringing Up Bates season 5

Photos courtesy of Tori and Bobby Smith, Carlin Bates/thebatesfamily.com, UPtv
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Happy Birthday to Jackson and Addee

February 17, 2019, 12:44 am
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It's a double Bates birthday! Happy birthday to Jackson and Addallee! Jackson is 17, which makes this his golden birthday. Addallee is 13, which means she is officially a teenager.

Jackson Ezekiel Bates
Jackson Ezekiel Bates
Renovating Zach and Whitney Bates' house

Addallee Hope Bates
Addallee Hope Bates
Kelly Bates, Everly Paine, Zoey Webster

Photos courtesy of UPtv chadanderin.com
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Kade Smith at 3 Months Old

February 17, 2019, 11:24 am
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Photos of Kade are few and far between, and he has not yet appeared on Bringing Up Bates, so we know you will enjoy this new snapshot of him. He is now three months old.

The Bates are all in Rocky Top this weekend for their annual I Love You Day celebration. Last year the theme was "growing old together," and this year they all dressed in medieval costumes.

Kade Smith and Lawson Bates
Kade Smith and Lawson Bates

Photo courtesy of lawsonbates.com
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House of Bates

February 17, 2019, 8:44 pm
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Erin Paine, Everly Paine, Brooklyn Paine, Chad Paine, Carson Paine
Erin Paine, Everly Paine, Brooklyn Paine, Chad Paine, Carson Paine

The Bates just wrapped up their annual I Love You Day celebration, and this year's festivities may have just been some of the most unique ones yet. (Anyone for a game of knock-the-apple-off-your-spouse's-head-with-a-bow-and-arrow?) You'll see all the action on an upcoming episode of Bringing Up Bates, but since Taryn Yager, the family's talented photographer friend, was on hand to capture the event, we thought we would share a few previews. The banner in the background of the photos reads "House of Bates." The theme was Renaissance/Medieval/Chivalry.

Also this weekend, the family gathered for a gender reveal party for Josie and Kelton Balka. So at this point, the Bates and Balkas all know the gender of Baby Balka, but they haven't yet shared the news.

Carlin Bates and Evan Stewart
Carlin Bates and Evan Stewart

Michael and Brandon Keilen
Michael and Brandon Keilen

Gil Bates, Cadrlin Bates, Kelly Bates
Gil Bates, Carlin Bates, Kelly Bates

Lexi Webster John Webster, Zoey Webster, Alyssa Webster, Allie Webster
Lexi Webster, John Webster, Zoey Webster, Alyssa Webster, Allie Webster

Josie Balka and Alyssa Webster
Josie Balka and Alyssa Webster

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

Photos courtesy of Taryn Yager Photography
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Scruff or No Scruff?

February 19, 2019, 10:59 am
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Tori Bates Smith Bobby Smith Bringing Up Bates

"When he went off to the barber shop, I actually had no clue whether he was going to keep the scruff or get rid of it."
-Tori Smith

When Kelton Balka and his groomsmen are presented with the opportunity to have their facial hair professionally shaved, best man Bobby must decide what he wants to do about his scruff. He makes the decision to shave it off, and Tori loves how smooth it is. What is your opinion? Do you think he looks better with or without the scruff? We are curious to hear from all the ladies out there and whether they prefer clean shaven men or men with facial hair.



Photo/video courtesy of UPtv
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Josie on Being Home Alone

February 20, 2019, 7:12 am
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Josie Bates Balka, Lawson Bates, Kelton Balka

Josie admits that she has a lot of fears, and husband Kelton knows exactly what they are. One of them involves being home alone, which makes sense, considering that she comes from a house full of people where alone time is rare. The video below will give you an idea of the format for tomorrow's new episode. You'll watch the married Bates, both the "newlyweds" and "oldly-weds," compete to see how well they know their spouses.


Photo/video courtesy of UPtv
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Wedding Dress Shopping with Carlin

February 21, 2019, 9:21 am
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Carlin Bates wedding dress shopping
Katie Bates, Brittany Randolph, Kelly Bates, Josie Bates Balka,
Whitney Bates, Carlin Bates, Erin Bates Paine, Everly Paine
Ashley Sparkman, Tori Bates Smith, Kade Smith, Meagan Stewart, Denese Stewart
Missing: Evan's sister Kailyn, who was sick

Carlin has her wedding dress! She and Evan are counting down the days until their May 25th nuptials, and they just checked a big item off the to-do list. Carlin gathered at The Bride Room in Nashville with her female relatives and relatives-to-be to choose her gown, which is from the Italian designer Nicole Spose. When it comes to wedding dresses, the Bates sisters all have their own unique styles. What type of gown do you think Carlin has chosen?

While they were in Nashville, the group also enjoyed some time at Top Golf with Lawson and Evan.

Photo courtesy of Carlin Bates/thebatesfamily.com
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'Newlyweds: Rookies vs. Pros' Recap

February 21, 2019, 7:00 pm
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Bringing Up Bates "Newlyweds: Rookies vs. Pros"

  • In this episode, the married Bates couples compete to see how well they know their spouse.
  • Which of your spouse’s habits drives you a little, or a lot, crazy? When Kelton’s alarm goes off in the morning, he jumps up and is ready for the day. Josie, on the other hand, gets annoyed at this because she is not a morning person.
  • Brandon says he thinks Michael would like to get rid of the big chair in his study, but Michael corrects him and says she loves the chair but that it is her family that wants to get rid of it.
  • Zach and Whitney both say they have nothing that either person wants to get rid of. “We’ve been married for five years,” says Zach. “We’re too broke…” “Everything we have is essential,” adds Whitney.
  • Whitney’s favorite snack is Reese’s. Michael’s is veggies. Brandon’s is pretzels and soft cheese. Chad’s favorite snack is trail mix. Erin’s favorite snack changes if she’s pregnant.
  • Zach loves Chicken in a Biscuit with Nutter Butter and Easy Cheese. “Snacks are moody,” he says. “Snacks change all the time.”
  • Now here’s an odd question: What animal would your spouse choose to be? Erin says she wants to be a tiger. “If I’m a tiger, you’re going to want to be a tiger too, a man tiger,” she tells Chad. Carlin thinks her sister is more of a gerbil than a tiger.
  • Zach says his spirit animal is Pooh Bear, while Whitney thinks he would want to be a tiger.
  • How about worst fears? Some of Tori’s are storms, car wrecks, being outside in the dark, being alone, tornadoes, and action movies.
  • And now for the question that is arguably the most important out of all of them: How many children do the newlyweds want to have?
  • Tori and Bobby always say they want to have a house full, but Bobby admits they don’t really know. “We’re basically saying, till we give up,” he says.
  • Kelton says: “Let’s see how Josie feels after the first.” Josie agrees, although she predicts they will have five or six kids.
  • What sweet things have the married Bates done for their spouses recently? Erin recovered Chad’s Bible. Brandon recently went on a seven-mile walk with Michael and gave her a love letter.
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Erin's Upcoming CD

February 22, 2019, 7:51 pm
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Erin Bates Paine

The Bates are back in the studio! Between Lawson and Erin, the family has produced a lot of music. This week, Kelly Bates, Carlin Bates, Chad Paine, Everly Paine, Lawson Bates, and Isaiah Bates traveled to Nashville to support Erin as she recorded a CD of hymns on piano. Tori and Kade Smith, who live just outside Music City, also joined in on the fun. They recorded at Beech Creek Studios.

Stay tuned for details on the CD's release date. 

Photo courtesy chadanderin.com
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Next Stop: Honeymoon!

February 24, 2019, 1:49 pm
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Josie's Tiny Baby Bump

February 25, 2019, 10:55 am
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Josie Bates Balka, 17 weeks pregnant
 
Josie Balka is 18 weeks pregnant, which means that Baby Balka is due in late July 2019. Like her sisters, Josie is a petite woman and has a petite baby bump. For reference, we have included photos of Alyssa and Erin's bumps taken around the same time.

Josie and Kelton announced the gender of their baby to the family last weekend but have not shared it with the public.

Alyssa Bates Webster, 20 weeks pregnant with Allie Webster
Alyssa Bates Webster, 20 weeks pregnant with Allie Webster
 
Erin Bates Paine, 23 weeks pregnant with Everly Paine
Erin Bates Paine, 23 weeks pregnant with Everly Paine

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

Photos courtesy of Josie and Kelton Balka, Alyssa and John Webster, chadanderin.com
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Baby Shower or Mt. Everest?

February 26, 2019, 2:22 pm
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Judson Bates and Jeb Bates

"The boys do not like to go to showers and stuff. We'd rather be doing something like basketball, football, jumping off Mt. Everest with wingsuits."
-Judson Bates

Well at least he's honest! The baby shower for Tori ends up being mostly ladies, but some of the women drag their guys along. If you watch the episode this week, you'll laugh when Erin heads up one of the games and Chad shares his opinion on it. In the video below, Whitney Bates introduces a game.




Photo/video courtesy of UPtv
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A Shower and a Honeymoon

February 27, 2019, 1:00 pm
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Josie Bates and Kelton Balka honeymoon
Josie and Kelton Balka, honeymoon in the Smokies
 
After Josie and Kelton's wedding, the couple embarked on their honeymoon, which they spent both in the Smoky Mountains and the Bahamas. Meanwhile, the rest of the Bates spent the rest of the weekend together before the Websters returned to Florida and the Keilens went home to Chicago.

Included in the weekend festivities was a baby shower for Tori Bates Smith. Both the honeymoon and the shower will be part of tomorrow's new episode of Bringing Up Bates. To get you pumped for the show, here are a few snapshots.

Josie Bates and Kelton Balka honeymoon
Josie and Kelton

Josie Bates and Kelton Balka honeymoon
Josie (Bates) Balka and Kelton Balka
 
Tori Bates baby shower Kade Smith
Carlin Bates, Michael Bates Keilen, Whitney Bates, Kaci Bates
Tori Bates Smith, Alyssa Bates Webster, Erin Bates Paine

The Websters

Tori Smith and Carson Paine
 
Kelly Bates and Erin Paine
Kelly Bates and Erin Paine
 
Photos courtesy of UPtv
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