Recap: "Bates Make the Grade"

Bringing Up Bates "Bates Make the Grade"

• The day before Trace and Carlin Bates’ graduation party, Kelly comes down with a stomach bug and can’t do anything to help prepare. Carlin takes charge, with help from her dad and siblings.
• Carlin made the invitation public, so this is shaping up to be the Bates’ biggest grad party yet. Although they asked people to RSVP via email, the Bates admit that they did not have a chance to count up the guests.
• Erin, Lawson, Tori, and Carlin rehearse a song that they plan to perform at the party (“All Along” by Rebecca J. Peck and Mark Lanier).
• The next day, Carlin directs setup under a pavilion at Mount Moriah Camp. Lots of friends and relatives, including Tori’s boyfriend, come to help. “The party was amazing, but only because Bobby was there,” jokes Tori.
• Ashley also attends the party. “As a mom, I’m just glad that everybody feels comfortable around each other still, in spite of the fact that they have ended that part of their relationship together,” says Kelly. “I’m really encouraged that Ashley and Nathan both have been mature to handle this friendship,” adds Gil.
• Brandon and Michael’s flight is delayed due to weather, but Brandon is able to convince the airline to put his wife on a different flight so she doesn’t miss the party.
• All the guests arrive, and just before Gil kicks off the program, Carlin realizes that she has misplaced her notes. “Dad had no clue what was happening,” says Carlin. “Mom didn’t. Only I knew, and them papers.” She ends up finding them in the van…just in time!
• The program starts with a handful of silly skits performed by the older Bates kids and their friends. Then, Nathan poses a few serious questions to Carlin and Trace. When asked who she aspires to be, Carlin’s answer is her father: “He’s always been faithful in the little things. He’s steady in the Lord. Whatever he does, he doesn’t lose his cool.”
• “She was really dishing out some of the kindest words that I do not deserve, honestly, but that’s one of those moments you just wish you could freeze life,” shares Gil, tearing up.
• What’s next for Trace and Carlin? Trace recently took over Lawson’s lawn care business, and he aspires to be a trick rider at the Dixie Stampede. His parents want him to go to college.
• Carlin, who took dual enrollment classes during high school, is starting full-time college this fall. She will study online for the first two years so she can continue to travel.
• Fans of the show come from all over to attend the Bates’ graduation party. “We definitely felt treasured,” says Carlin.