Over the weekend, the entire Bates family gathered in East Tennessee to celebrate I Love You Day (the Bates' version of Valentine's Day). The married couples came in for a visit, as did Gil's two siblings and their families and his parents, who live in South Carolina.
The Bates clan takes I Love You Day very seriously. (Click here to view photos from last year's celebration.) Rather than do a big family gift exchange at Christmastime when the married kids have other obligations, they decided several years ago to draw names and buy gifts for each other in February.
Check out these snapshots from this weekend's festivities:
![]( "Allie Jane Webster")
![]( "Zach Bates and Kaci Lynn Bates")
![]( "Lawson Bates and Kaci Bates")
![]( "Josie Bates, Lawson Bates, Carlin Bates")
![]( "Alyssa Bates Webster, Lexi Webster, Allie Webster, John Webster")
![]()
Photos courtesy of thebatesfamily.com, lawsonbates.com, Zach and Whitney Bates, John and Alyssa Webster
The Bates clan takes I Love You Day very seriously. (Click here to view photos from last year's celebration.) Rather than do a big family gift exchange at Christmastime when the married kids have other obligations, they decided several years ago to draw names and buy gifts for each other in February.
Check out these snapshots from this weekend's festivities:
Allie Jane Webster
Zach Bates gives daughter Kaci Lynn Bates her first valentine
Lawson Bates and niece Kaci Bates
Josie Bates, Lawson Bates, and Carlin Bates enjoy the warm weekend weather
John Webster, Lexi Mae Webster, Papa Bil, Mama Jane,
Alyssa Webster, and Allie Jane Webster
Whitney Bates and Kaci Bates
![]( "Zach Bates and Whitney Bates")
And these are photos that were taken last week by Lawson Bates:
Zach and Whitney Bates
![]( "Zach Bates and Whitney Bates")
Zach and Whitney Bates