October Bates Snapshots

We have a few new Bates snapshots to share with you all on this beautiful Monday afternoon. Which is your favorite?

In case you missed last week's big announcements, here the are links to the corresponding posts:
Lawson's New Single/Upcoming Album
Erin's Lullaby CD

 Lawson Bates with sister Tori Bates and Tori's boyfriend (Bobby) 

Lawson Bates and niece Allie Jane Webster

Lawson Bates and Mama Kelly Bates 

Judson Bates

Lawson Bates and nephew Bradley Bates

Photos courtesy of lawsonbates.com

Good News from Grandpa

Did you catch Thursday's new episode of Bringing Up Bates? (Click here to read our recap.) It was an eventful show, but the best part was definitely the last 15 minutes, when Erin and Chad Paine welcomed little Brooklyn Paine. In the video below, proud Grandpa Gil heads back to the house to share the happy news with his sleepy kiddos.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Oldest Bates Grandchild Turns 2

 

Today is Bradley Bates' 2nd birthday! Did you know that his middle name, Gilvin, has been in the Bates family for at least five generations?

In honor of Bradley's special day, let's look back at this Bringing Up Bates scene, filmed just days before his birth.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Recap: "And Baby Makes Five?"

Bringing Up Bates "And Baby Makes Five?"

• With Brooklyn’s due date just one month away, Erin is struggling with fear. “All that she went through with her pregnancy with Carson and then even with the miscarriages before Carson, she was nervous,” says Kelly. “And it got to the point that she was not eating good or sleeping good. She was very restless.”
• Erin’s labor with Carson was extremely painful, due to her blood clotting condition, so wants an epidural this time around. “If she doesn’t get an epidural with Brookie, I don’t think she’s ever going to have kids again,” jokes Tori. 
• Erin, Chad, and Carson have their weekly Skype chat with Nana and the rest of the Paine family. Then they head to Beech Creek Studios near Nashville, Tennessee, to finish recording Erin’s lullaby CD.
• According to Kelly, Erin's cooking skills used to be nonexistent, but since marrying Chad, she has become a wonderful chef. “She went from not knowing how to do anything to being really good at it now,” says Kelly.
• Erin and Chad have been considering buying a dog for Carson. One afternoon, Erin sits down with Kelly to look at photos of puppies for sale. “After I started looking at pictures of puppies and started thinking about it, I just couldn’t help myself,” says Erin. “So I finally decided, let’s just do this, and I’ll surprise Chad.”
• Erin finds one that she likes, so she and Kelly drive an hour away to see it. She ends up buying it, and Chad is definitely surprised. “Oh honey, we needed a dog, but I think we’re still kind of nuts though,” says Chad. The puppy is covered in fleas, but he's very cute.
• Later, Kelly and the girls deliver a gift basket to Erin. “I told the girls...don’t think about money,” Kelly announces to Gil. “You actually told them that?” laughs Gil, his eyes wide. But he admits he is glad they did that for Erin.
• When Erin’s due date is less than two weeks away, she and Kelly take some of the kids on a zoo outing. Erin especially enjoys seeing the pregnant gorilla. It's hot and humid, so Kelly treats everyone to slushies. 
• “You know when Mom is running the trip or Dad is running the trip,” says Lawson. “Mom goes, and slushies all around, on the house,” adds Zach. “Dad goes, and we bring a jug of water from the house that he filled up in the sink.”
• The night before her delivery, Erin starts having intense contractions, so she and Chad head to the hospital. In addition to Chad and the medical staff, Kelly, Chad’s mom, Katie, and Tori join Erin for the birth. (Katie holds the camera, as the film crew is not allowed in the hospital room.)
• Erin is able to have an epidural, so this birth goes much smoother. Brooklyn’s arrival is a very emotional moment for everyone. Later, 15-month-old Carson is thrilled to finally meet his little sister.

Lawson's New Single

Lawson has informed us that the first single from his upcoming CD, "What Country Means to Me" by Lawson Bates, is available for purchase! (Click here to view "I'll Love Again," featuring Emily Ann Roberts from The Voice, in iTunes.)

The full album is set to release on Monday, November 14th. (Visit our October 15th post for details on how to pre-order a digital copy or a physical CD.)

Photo courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com, lawsonbates.com

Meet Brooklyn Paine Tonight

Are you ready to meet baby Brooklyn Paine? Tune in to UP tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a one-hour special of Bringing Up Bates (TV listings below).

Thursday, October 27
8pm: Muddy Buddies
8:30pm: Nashville Nights and Country Campouts 
9pm: And Baby Makes Five? (NEW)
Erin and Chad are days away from meeting their little girl and are in full prep mode! Erin heads to Nashville to finish her lullaby album. But before Erin and Chad bring Brooklyn home, they welcome another new addition...a puppy! As Brooklyn's birth gets closer and closer, Erin recounts her struggles with Carson's labor. Even though it will be worth it when she has Brooklyn in her arms, she worries that she'll face the same difficulties this time around.
10pm: And Baby Makes Five?

Photo courtesy of UP

Erin's Lullaby CD

Erin's newest album ("Lullaby" by Erin Bates) is now available for purchase on iTunes (click here)! You can also order a physical copy on Chad and Erin's website. (Click here to visit.)

The mom of two shares her inspiration for the CD in the video below. Tune in to Bringing Up Bates tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP to watch Erin travel to Nashville to put the finishing touches on the project.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Bates Matriarch Turns 50

Wishing Kelly Jo Bates a blessed 50th birthday! Did you know that Kelly's favorite subjects in college were biology, chemistry, and calculus? She majored in human services and minored in special education. 

Photo courtesy of UP

Gil's Take on Newborn Photos

In this sneak peek of tomorrow's new episode, Gil and Kelly Bates, along with Michael and Brandon Keilen, stop by Erin and Chad Paine's cottage-style house for a meal. According to her family, Michael Keilen has a love for children and sewing, and they are encouraging her to start her own business selling dresses for little girls.

Erin and Chad are counting down the days until the arrival of daughter Brooklyn Paine, but Gil suggests that they do newborn pictures a bit differently with baby No. 2. "This time we're going to put some clothes on this baby," he says, pointing to photos of Carson as a newborn. "Ain't we? I've gotta look away from that thing when I see it." Chad laughingly agrees, but the women think that snapshots of infants with bare backs are adorable.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Camp Like a Bates

Ever heard of "glamping"? It's a modern trend of "glamorous camping," where participants enjoy the great outdoors with some (or all) of the luxuries of home.

In this deleted scene from last week's new episode of Bringing Up Bates, Gil Bates discusses the type glamping that he and Kelly have grown to enjoy. Zach Bates, on the other hand, doesn't quite agree with his dad.

"If I'm going camping, I'm going to go somewhere away from my house," states the oldest Bates kid in the video below. "I am not going to walk out of my nice warm bed with my pillow beside me, trek...halfway up the side of a mountain, and lay down with no air conditioning when I have a bed 300 yards from me.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

'Erin, you need to call Chad'

Get ready for what could be the most hilarious Bringing Up Bates clip you have ever seen (video below)! On this week's new episode, Kelly Bates and Erin Paine drive to pick up the Paines' new dog. But when the ladies discover that cute little Max is covered in fleas, their reactions are priceless.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Watch 'Bringing Up Bates' Season 4 Free Online

For all of you Bates fans out there who are unable to watch Bringing Up Bates on UP, you'll be thrilled about this announcement. The network has uploaded the first three episodes from season four to its website (links below).

Bringing Up Bates Season 4
Episode 401: Big Family, Big Changes
Episode 402: Bates Boys Birthday Bash
Episode 403: A Lovely Day

The entire series is also available for purchase on iTunes. (Click here to view season 4 in HD and here to view it in SD.) The show is on Amazon as well, but the latest few episodes have not yet been added.

The first three episodes from season one, two, and three are also on the UP website: 

Bringing Up Bates Season 1
Episode 101: Meet the Bates
Episode 102: Courtship & Marriage
Episode 103: Bates Gone Wild

Bringing Up Bates Season 2
Episode 201: All Together Again
Episode 202: Future In-Laws?
Episode 203: High Risk, High Hopes
 
Bringing Up Bates Season 3
Episode 301: All Together Again
Episode 302: Sweet Tea & Sit Ups
Episode 303: 15 Kids and an Empty Nest

Photos courtesy of UP

Kaci & Brooklyn

Happy Friday! Hope y'all had a wonderful week. We have two adorable pictures of Kaci Lynn Bates and Brooklyn Elise Paine to share. Kaci reached her four-month milestone yesterday, and Brooklyn turns 11 weeks old tomorrow.

Do you think these two little girls look like their brothers? We have included photos of Carson Paine and Bradley Bates for comparison.

 Kaci Bates

 Bradley Bates

Brooklyn Paine

Carson Paine (and Bradley Bates)

Photos courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates, chadanderin.com

Recap: 'Nashville Nights and Country Campouts'

Bringing Up Bates "Nashville Nights and Country Campouts"

• Lawson, who started a lawn mowing business at age 14, takes Tori and Carlin out to a job site to teach them how to operate the machinery. Lawson is hoping to hand his business over to his siblings so he can spend more time pursuing music.  
• "Basically you realize that Mom and Dad ain't always going to be paying for everything and you've got to do something to have money and be able to do stuff yourself," says Tori. 
• Teaching the girls how to use the weed eater and commercial lawnmower turns out to be a bit stressful, but they catch on rather quickly. "For this being the girls' first time, I think they did very well," says Lawson.
• Back at the Bates house, Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah head up the hill to spend the night in their fort. Kelly provides the food, and Gil, Ellie, Callie, Judson, and Jeb join the boys to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. 
• "As parents, we're over the camping days, but we do it for our kids," says Kelly. 
• "To be up there on top of that hill with all the kids...it was like the perfect end to a great day," says Gil.
• Lawson is invited to perform on one of the many stages at Nashville's CMA Fest, the biggest festival in country music. He has a blast, and the audience loves his music.
• "After getting the gig in Nashville, Lawson was very excited, and he has been talking about doing a tour," says Zach. "I do think he had a little culture shock for a minute, but I think he's really pressing on with it."
• Lawson says his goal in his music career is to speak encouragement into peoples' lives and to stay true to who he is. 

Tonight: Campfires and CMAs

It's Thursday, and you know what that means, don't you? An all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates airs tonight on UP! Scroll down to see the lineup of tonight's reruns and feature episode, as well as a few snapshots from Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah's campout.

Check out Tuesday's post to watch the first sneak peek video and yesterday's post to watch the second. You'll also want to check out the picture slideshow from the recent photo shoot that UP did with the Bates grandchildren. (It's incredibly cute!)

Thursday, October 20 
8pm ET/7pm CT: Growing Paines
8:30pm ET/7:30pm CT: Muddy Buddies
9pm ET/8pm CT: Nashville Nights and Country Campouts (NEW)
Lawson is shining up his boots for a gig in Nashville! But even though his music career is growing, Lawson knows what pays the bills...his lawn care business. And when some of his sisters ask to learn the ropes of the business and make a little extra cash, Lawson agrees to teach them everything he knows. Meanwhile, Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah camp out in their favorite spot...the fort. And later, Lawson takes the stage at a venue in Nashville. In a city full of aspiring musicians, will Lawson stand out or fade into the crowd?
9:30pm ET/8:30pm CT: Growing Paine
10pm ET/9pm CT: Nashville Nights and Country Campouts
10:30pm ET/9:30pm CT: Muddy Buddies

Photos courtesy of UP

Smiles from Allie Jane Webster

We noticed a few comments on our "Bates Grandbaby Photo Shoot"post from folks who say they have never seen Allie Jane Webster smile. She's definitely a very serious little girl, but she also has a beautiful smile. Here are a few snapshots from earlier this year...

Photos courtesy of Alyssa and John Webster

Campout with Dad

"Dad, food, and fire don't usually do very good together because the fire usually burns the food before Dad can get it out."

-Jackson Bates

During tomorrow's all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates, Gil Bates treats the younger kids to a campout on the hill. The Bates dad nearly starts tearing up as he shares how grateful he is to spend time with his little ones (sneak peek below).

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Bates Girls Learn Landscaping

Who said girls can't mow lawns? With a little practice (okay, maybe a lot of practice) Tori and Carlin Bates will be well on their way to becoming professional landscapers. That is, if older brother Lawson Bates can keep his cool while his sisters learn how to operate his expensive equipment.

Do you think the gals have what it takes? Check out this sneak peek scene from this week's new episode of Bringing Up Bates...

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Bates Grandbaby Photo Shoot

Good afternoon, blog readers! This has to be one of our favorite posts EVER. You'll see why in a moment...

While the Bates were in Atlanta visiting UP headquarters earlier this month, Gil and Kelly Bates' five grandbabies took part in a photo shoot. The resulting snapshots are both adorable and hilarious. (Check out the slideshow below.)

This ever-growing clan is fixin' to welcome grandchild #6 in just three months. Alyssa (Bates) Webster is due with her second child, a girl, on January 27th. She and John Webster have not yet announced the name they have chosen.

Photos courtesy of UP; click here to see the album

Lawn Care, Campouts, and Music

This Thursday on Bringing Up Bates, Lawson gives his sisters a crash course on running his lawn care business so he can spend more time advancing his budding music career (preview video below). Later, Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah go on a campout, while Lawson heads to Nashville to perform a big gig.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Isaiah Bates Turns 12

Wishing Isaiah Bates a blessed 12th birthday! Did you know that Isaiah's middle name is Courage? Number 14 in the Bates lineup, his favorite restaurant is Chick-fil-A, and his favorite activity is biking.

Photo courtesy of UP

Lawson Bates' New Album!

Lawson Bates has an exciting announcement! His brand-new album, "What Country Means to Me," will be released on Monday, November 14th. (Update: The new release date is Thursday, November 10th.) The album will also be available exclusively to those who attend his show in Knoxville on Saturday, October 22nd. (Click here for details.)

Visit Lawson's website to pre-order a physical copy of the CD for $15, or visit iTunes to pre-order the digital version for $9.99.

Here are the songs you can look forward to hearing on the album:

Love’s the Reason
What Country Means to Me
Time
I’ll Love Again (feat. Emily Ann Roberts)
If That Hadn’t Been There
Past the Past
The Way You Look Tonight
I Will Always
You Asked Him to Leave
Smaller Plans
You’ve Got to Stand for Something
I Have Decided (feat. Emily Ann Roberts)

Album cover courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com, lawsonbates.com

Recap: 'Muddy Buddies'

It's been one of those days... I (Ellie) had the recap all written and ready to post, only to find that a glitch had caused it to be deleted from the site. So I watched the show again and rewrote the recap. I'm grateful for technology, but I suppose we can't always rely on it. :)

Bringing Up Bates "Muddy Buddies"

• The Bates join their friends at Ride Royal Blue ATV Park for a fun-filled day of mudding. Mudding is one of Jackson's top three favorite things about Tennessee (in addition to God and the University of Tennessee Volunteers). Kelly admits that she only recently learned what mudding is. 
• The first part of the trail is gravel, but it quickly turns to mud.
• "I think we made a mistake by putting all of the drama in one vehicle," says Lawson, referring to the four-seater RZR, which is where most of the screams come from. Tori is the driver, and Kelly and Jeb are her passengers.
• Everyone agrees that Nathan is the family's biggest daredevil. He starts doing 360s but quickly runs into trouble, flipping the four-wheeler. Thankfully, he jumps off just in time. "What that tells me is he's experienced!" exclaims Kelly. "He's done it before!"
• "He almost got himself killed," says Judson, matter-of-factly.
• Gil gives Josie, who admits that she isn't the greatest driver, a driving lesson on the RZR. 
• "A lot of country folk around us grow up learning to drive on tractors on the farm," says Zach. "Our kids grow up learning to drive on a 15-passenger van."
• Tori gives Kelly a crazy ride on a four-wheeler. The mom of 19 enjoys herself, but after a few minutes, she says it's time to get off. 
• Everyone has a blast, although they are covered in mud from head to toe by the end. "Our laundry room is scared for y'all to come home," says Kelly. 
• "The best thing for us would be to come home and pressure wash the kids," adds Gil. 
• Later, Michael and Brandon Keilen come for a short visit to meet Kaci Lynn Bates. "Since Michael was four or five years old, she's just been great with kids, and getting to show off Kaci was a special moment of daddy pride for me," says Zach.
• "I think the biggest joy in parenting is sitting back and watching your children interact," says Kelly. "It's just one of those picture-perfect moments that you want to have in your scrapbook..."

Show Starts in 10 Minutes!

Tonight's all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates premieres on UP in just ten minutes! To get you in the mood for some new Bates footage, we thought we would share our favorite quote from the show:

"Our laundry room is scared for y'all to come home."
-Kelly Bates

9pm ET: Muddy Buddies (NEW)
9:30pm ET: Three Pointers and Puppies
10pm ET: Muddy Buddies
10:30pm ET: A LOVEly Day

Photo courtesy of UP

Bates Go Mudding

"The boys were definitely trying to see who could do the most dangerous things and not kill themselves. Nathan was the worst, of course."

-Tori Bates

This week on Bringing Up Bates, the family gets down and dirty on a mud-covered four-wheeling trail. The younger children are thrilled to be able to join the action on their kid-sized ATVs, and the older ones enjoy doing crazy stunts (well, at least the boys do). 

Scroll down to see snapshots and an extended scene.

The show starts at 9pm ET/8pm CT tomorrow on UP. In addition to their mudding adventure, the Bates also receive a visit from sister Michael Keilen and her husband, Brandon Keilen. (Click here to watch the Keilens meet Kaci Lynn Bates for the first time.)

Photos/video courtesy of UP

Bates at the Pumpkin Patch

In celebration of fall, the "little" Bates family visited The Fruit and Berry Patch in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Scroll down to see snapshots.) What autumn activities do you enjoy doing with family and friends?

 Whitney Bates and Kaci Bates

Bradley Bates

Photo courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates

Paine Family of 4, Webster Update

 Chad Paine, Erin Paine, Brooklyn Paine, and Carson Paine

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! Here's a beautiful picture to brighten up your Monday morning.

Many of you have asked how Alyssa and John Webster are doing after Hurricane Matthew tore through Florida late last week. Thankfully, the Orlando area was not directly hit, although residents did experience significant wind and rain, prompting Disney World to shut down for the fourth time in its history. John and Alyssa made it through the storm. Gil Bates, Kelly Bates, and Katie Bates happened to be visiting in celebration of Katie's 16th birthday.

Photo courtesy chadanderin.com