Sunday, November 29, 2015

Watch 'Bringing Up Bates' On Amazon

 The Bates family attends a University of Tennessee basketball game

For those of you who are looking for another way to watch Bringing Up Bates, we have a big announcement to share. Season one is now available for purchase on Amazon Instant Video. (Click here to be redirected.) We will let you know when season two has been uploaded.

The first season is also available on gMovies.com, a monthly service similar to Netflix, and UP plans to add the second season by the end of the year.

For fans who wish to watch United Bates of America--the first reality TV show starring Gil and Kelly Bates and their 19 children, which aired on TLC in 2012--those episodes are on Amazon Instant Video, as well.

**Update: Our lovely readers have informed us that Bringing Up Bates is also available for purchase on iTunes. 


Photo courtesy of UP

Friday, November 27, 2015

Keilens Say Marriage is a Blessing

This Thanksgiving season, newlyweds Michaella and Brandon Keilen are thankful for each other and the blessing that marriage has been to them. "I knew I was getting a gem," says Brandon in the video below. "I didn't realize how much of a gem that was."




Video courtesy of UP

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Kelly: 'I'm Just Blessed Beyond Measure'

Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers! Watch these two videos to find out what the Bringing Up Bates stars are thankful for:

Erin (Bates) Paine, Kelly Bates, and Alyssa (Bates) Webster

Tori Bates and Carlin Bates

Videos courtesy of UP

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Chicago Snowstorm

Starting Friday night and continuing into Saturday afternoon, Chicago and the surrounding area received an unexpected, pre-Thanksgiving dump of snow. Some of the northern suburbs saw more than 15 inches, making travel dangerous. Check out this picture of the newlywed Keilens enjoying the winter wonderland.

Michael (Bates) Keilen and Brandon Keilen


Photo courtesy of the Keilens

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Merry Christmas from the Bates Fam

Gil and Kelly Bates and their 19 children, stars of Bringing Up Bates, would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas (video below).



Video courtesy of UP

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Bates Son-In-Law Turns 26

Wishing John Webster a happy 26th birthday!

John Webster, Allie Webster, Alyssa (Bates) Webster

Photo courtesy of the Bates family

Friday, November 20, 2015

Christmas on UP

Bringing Up Bates, set to return for its third season on January 7th, is one of UP's most popular TV shows. Can you find the Bates kids scattered throughout this UP Christmas promo video?




Video courtesy of UP

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Win Erin's New CD (Autographed!)


As we announced two weeks ago, Erin (Bates) Paine has released her first Christmas album, Comfort & Joy. UP is giving viewers a chance to win one of 10 autographed copies of the CD. Visit the network's website to enter to win.

Unfortunately, this giveaway is reserved for legal residents of the United States (including the District of Columbia) who are 18 years or older. Only one entry can be submitted per person, and each entrant must use his or her own email address. The promotion ends at 8:00am EST on Monday, December 7, 2015.

Monday, November 16, 2015

'It's Like the Good Old Days Again'

You're not the only one who is looking forward to the return of Bringing Up Bates. The Bates family is looking forward to it, too! Season three premiers Thursday, January 7th, 2016, on UP.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Carson's 6-Month Milestone

Charles Stephen Paine IV, known by his family and friends as "Carson," is six months old today! Chad and Erin Paine call Carson their miracle baby, due to the multiple miscarriages Erin endured in the couple's first year of marriage and the health risks she faced during her pregnancy. The proud parents say that Carson was an answer to their prayers.

Erin Paine and Carson Paine


Photo courtesy of the Bates family

Friday, November 13, 2015

More Musical Bates Kids

Earlier this week, we shared a video of Erin (Bates) Paine playing a unique piano version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" at her Comfort & Joy CD release party. It's time to show off the talent of two more of the 19 Bates children. Watch and listen as Lawson Bates and Carlin Bates perform "White Christmas," accompanied by fiddle legend Andy Leftwich.

Season three of Bringing Up Bates premieres January 7th, 2016, on UP.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

The Talented Erin Bates Paine

Last Friday, Erin and Chad Paine hosted a release party for Erin's new Christmas CD, Comfort & Joy, and invited family, friends, and fans. Attendees snacked on Christmas cookies and sipped hot chocolate while listening to live entertainment. 

One of the songs Erin performed for guests was "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." But there's a catch! She played it while facing away from the piano. Can you say talent? Check out the video:

Monday, November 9, 2015

Bates #6 Turns 21

Happy 21st birthday, Alyssa! Alyssa's full name is Alyssa Joy Webster (née Bates), but her family calls her "Bizz." She and John began courting on November 6th, 2013, after getting to know each other while Alyssa helped John's father, Congressman Daniel Webster, with his campaign in 2012.

The couple tied the knot on May 24th, 2014, and welcomed their first child, Allie Jane Webster, on April 11th, 2015. Random fact: Alyssa's favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.

John, Allie, and Alyssa Webster
October 2015

Photo used with permission from Photography By Britton. Be sure to check out their website and Facebook page.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Season 3 Promo Video

We have big news. UP has released a promo video (embedded below) for season three of Bringing Up Bates, which premieres at 9pm ET/8pm CT on Thursday, January 7th, 2016. That's only two months away! How excited are you for the Bates' return to reality TV?

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Mr. and Mrs. Keilen

Can you believe that Michael (Bates) Keilen and Brandon Keilen are coming up on their three-month wedding anniversary? The newlyweds live near Chicago, Illinois. Check out these adorable pictures of the couple enjoying the beauty of fall and God's creation.




Photos courtesy of the Bates family

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Webster Family Photo Shoot

Alyssa (Bates) Webster and John Webster, along with daughter Allie Webster, recently had family photos taken by Britton and Erika Felber, photographers who have taken pictures for members of both the Duggar and Bates families.

The Felbers gave us permission to share their beautiful work with all of you. Be sure to check out their website and Facebook page.

 Alyssa and John Webster

 John, Alyssa, and Allie Webster

John, Alyssa, and Allie Webster


Photos courtesy Photography By Britton

Monday, November 2, 2015

Paines Celebrate 2 Years

Wishing Erin and Chad Paine a blessed two-year wedding anniversary. Have you heard the Paines' big announcement? Check out yesterday's post for details.



Photos courtesy of the Bates family. Left: Erin and Chad Paine. Right: Erin, Chad, and Carson Paine

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Erin and Chad's Big Announcement

Erin (Bates) Paine and husband Chad Paine have finally reveled the big surprise that they hinted at in mid September. We know you all are on the edge of your seats, so we won't keep you waiting. Erin has just released her third CD, Comfort & Joy.


Erin, Chad, and Carson Paine share the details in the following YouTube video:



The CD includes 12 Southern gospel Christmas arrangements (listed below) that feature the talented Erin (Bates) Paine on piano and well-known bluegrass musician Andy Leftwich on fiddle and mandolin.

Comfort & Joy is available for purchase on the Bates family website, CD Baby, and iTunes.

For those of you who live in the Bates' neck of the woods, the family is hosting a CD release party on Friday, November 6th, at Crown College in Powell, Tennessee.


Comfort & Joy
  1. Let it Snow
  2. God rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
  3. Joy to the World
  4. Away in the Manager
  5. Silver Bells
  6. Go Tell it on the Mountain
  7. Frosty the Snowman
  8. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
  9. Jingle Bells
  10. Silent Night
  11. Marshmallow World
  12. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Photography courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com/Chad Paine