2 Bates Love Songs

 

Katie Bates and Travis Clark

As a musician, Travis Clark has spent plenty of time in recording studios, but he recently released an especially personal song that played an important role in his engagement. During his proposal to Katie, Travis performed an original song, appropriately called "Will You Marry Me." It is now available on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. If you missed our post last month, Katie and Travis plan to tie the knot in December.

And speaking of love songs, Lawson recently wrote another one of his own. You can probably guess who it's about. "The Way I See You" will be available for purchase on July 14th, 2021. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Bates Meet Charlotte

Just a couple days after Charlotte's arrival, Tori and Bobby Smith were able to introduce this 5 pounds 11 ounces of sweetness to some of the members of the Bates clan. What a blessing that all three Bates grandbabies are home!

 

Brandon Keilen and Charlotte Smith

 

Photo courtesy of keilencorner.com

Watch Nathan's Proposal

 

Nathan Bates proposes to Esther Keyes

As of Thursday, Bringing Up Bates is officially on break, following a season finale episode that featured Travis' proposal to Katie. Those of you who follow the Bates family closely know that Nathan announced his engagement to Esther at the end of May. Will fans have to wait until next season to see footage from his Florida proposal? Thankfully, the answer is no, as UPtv just released a video of the big moment. The YouTube link from UP Faith & Family is below. 

Nathan Bates' Engagement

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Charlotte is Here!

 

Tori Smith and Bobby Smith

All three of the June Bates babies have arrived! The most recent, Charlotte Raine Smith, was born Thursday, June 24th, at 5:35am. She weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Tori and Bobby had quite the scare during Charlotte's delivery when her heart rate dropped due to the cord being wrapped tightly around her neck. Visit the UPtv website to see the first photos of this sweet baby and to read quotes from the elated parents. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Updates from the Couples

 

Tori Smith and Bobby Smith

"We've just been settling into our house more and taking on little projects. We got a little beach vacation coming up for the family after Charlotte gets here."

-Bobby Smith

What did you think of last night's season finale episode? No news right now on when the Bates will return with new shows, but we will keep you updated. 

In this web exclusive video, the married couples share some quick family updates. As always, there is a lot in store for the Bates clan.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

'Due Dates and an Engagement Getaway' Recap

Bringing Up Bates "Due Dates and an Engagement Getaway"

• Kelly sneaks away to a coffee shop to call Travis and “Mama Clark” and discuss the proposal plans. Travis has to tell Katie that he broke his phone, so she won’t be suspicious when he turns it off. They follow each other’s locations constantly. “Technology has made life a lot more complicated and surprises a lot harder,” says Gil.
• Josie and Willow spend time at Whitney’s house, making decorations for their nursery walls. (Tori can’t make it at the last minute.) “I’m not the most crafty person, so simplicity is key,” says Josie.
• Zach arrives with a gift from the husbands, a box of chocolates and a promise for a nail day for the three pregnant ladies before the babies’ arrivals. “Our nails have to be done when we hold the baby for the first time,” says Whitney. “It was perfect.”
• Meanwhile, Nathan, a commercial flight instructor, helps Lawson earn his commercial pilot’s license. He pressures Lawson to complete the certification by the end of the year. 
• Nathan will soon propose to Esther and begin making plans for their wedding and life together. “Esther is an absolute queen,” he says. “I am so blessed to be able to just be with Esther. It was worth all the wait, and I would wait another 10 years if that’s what it took.” Lawson explains that he is in the process of saving up to buy a ring for Tiffany.
• Katie is all dressed up for the weekly Bates Sisters Boutique photo shoot. No one but Gil and Kelly know what is about to happen. Travis arrives and gets behind the camera while Katie is in the other room.
• The sisters are shocked and giddy. “Well as soon as Travis walked in, everybody knew that this was the engagement,” says Addee. Katie walks out and is completely floored to see her man. When Travis tells her that they will leave for Key West in three hours, she knows that the engagement will be happening soon.
• “Key West is sentimental to us because 28 years ago next month, we came here on our honeymoon,” says Travis’ mom, Carla Clark. “To be able to do it with Katie and Travis at this special time, we’re just thrilled about all of it.”
• “Any time my mom is on a trip, the most important thing to her is photos,” says Katie. She and Gil joke that the whole trip is going to consist of Kelly going “1,2,3.”
• The group of six (Katie, Travis, Gil, Kelly, Mike, and Carla) lands in Key West. They take a historic tour, followed by a trip to the butterfly conservatory and a sunset cruise. The next morning, it’s time for a lesson in sand sculpting. Katie and Travis win with their dolphin, while the parents make a turtle.
• That evening, Travis takes Katie to a big gazebo along the water, where he has arranged for a team to set up rose petals and other decorations. He plays a song that he wrote, and Katie cries. He gets down on one knee and says, “Katie Grace, will you marry me?” Katie responds with, “Yes, holy cow!”
• “…I am really excited for them,” says Gil. “I mean, this is one of the most special moments in their life. It’s an honor that they would even want us to get to be a part of it.”

Travis' Love Song for Katie

 

Gil Bates, Travis Clark, Katie Bates, Kelly Bates

"So will you marry me? For worse or for better, I'll be yours to keep. I promise your whole life I'll be there for your, take care of you, no matter what the future holds. I'm going to love you and never let you go."

Proposals on the beach are becoming a Bates family tradition, and so are love songs written by the groom-to-be. Tonight is the season finale of Bringing Up Bates, and you'll see Travis whisk Katie off to the Florida Keys for a romantic engagement getaway. To preview the sweet song that Travis wrote for his future wife, watch this video on ET Online.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Willow Did What?!

 

Whitney Bates

"I've been trying so hard not to set exceptions for what it's going to be like going from one to two. I know it's going to be so different and probably harder than I think and imagine it to be."

-Josie Balka

Has your child ever done something like this? In the promo video below of Thursday's season finale episode, Josie shares a horrifying but hilarious moment involving Willow, and Whitney can't hold back her laughter.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Season 10 Finale

 

Katie Bates and Travis Clark with both sets of parents

Sad news for all you Bates fan! Thursday's episode is the season 10 finale of Bringing Up Bates. On the bright side, it's a one-hour show, so that's something to look forward to. The focus will be Katie's Florida engagement.

9pm ET8pm CT: Due Dates and an Engagement Getaway
With Whitney and Josie’s due dates quickly approaching, the expecting moms meet up to dish about motherhood and work on a craft project for their nurseries. While preparing for a flight lesson, Nathan confides in Lawson that he’s hoping to propose to Esther very soon. With Nathan leaving the bachelor squad, will Lawson be on the fast track to settle down? Meanwhile, Travis is hoping to surprise Katie with a destination engagement in the Florida Keys, but can Gil and Kelly Jo keep suspicious Katie in the dark about the plan? 

 

Travis proposes to Katie

 

Katie Bates and Travis Clark

Photos courtesy of UPtv

Hazel's Homecoming

 

Kelton Balka and Hazel Balka

Both Bates babies are home sweet home! One week after her birth, Hazel Sloane Balka was finally able to leave the NICU and go home to meet big sister Willow. But there is still more Bates baby news to be announced very soon, as fans await Tori's delivery.

Photo courtesy of @josie_balka

Kaci Turns 5

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Today is also the 4th Bates grandchild's 5th birthday. Happy birthday, Kaci! Here's a Bates family fun fact for you: Bradley and Khloe's birthdays are just nine days apart, and now Kaci and Jadon's birthdays are 13 days apart.

 

Kaci Bates and Bradley Bates

 

Whitney Bates, Zach Bates, Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates

 

Kaci Bates

Photos courtesy of @zachnwhitbates

Jadon's Homecoming

 

Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates, Zach Bates, Jadon Bates, Whitney Bates, Khloe Bates

It has been a whirlwind two weeks for the Bates family. Jadon Bates made his grand debut on June 7th and had to stay in the NICU for nine days. Praise God that he has been released and is adjusting to life at home with his three adoring siblings. During that time, the family held a graduation party for Warden, and Alyssa and her four girls spent several days in Tennessee. 

Josie Balka delivered Hazel Balka on June 14th, and now the Balkas are in the same NICU where Zach, Whitney, and Jadon were. We know you all are praying fervently for Hazel's recovery, as well as looking forward to the arrival of Charlotte Smith.

Photo courtesy of @zachnwhitbates

Summertime Special Tonight

 

Callie Bates, Addallee Bates, Ellie Bates

Do you have your remote ready to watch Bringing Up Bates this evening? Tonight's show isn't just your regular weekly episode. It's a one-hour, summertime special that will include both old and new footage.

Thursday, June 17
9pm ET/8pm CT: Never Before Seen on TV: Summertime Special NEW!
It’s always a summer of fun with the Bates! Savor the season with a ton of never before seen on TV moments, along with some summertime classics, as the Bates enjoy everything from whitewater rafting, to camping, to shuffleboard, to cookouts and more. 60 MINUTES
10pm ET/9pm CT: The Websters' New Home and Nathan's Next Move
10:30pm ET/9:30pm CT: The Show Must Go on

Photo courtesy of UPtv

2 Bates Babies in the NICU

Yesterday, we shared about the safe arrival of Hazel Balka. Unfortunately, she was admitted to the NICU for complications following her birth on Monday, but she is stable. Hazel's bilirubin levels are high due to a condition that caused her blood to fight against Josie's during the pregnancy,

Until today, cousin Jadon Bates was also in the NICU, but he was just released to go home! Pray that Hazel will be able to go home soon, as well.

 

Hazel's Arrival

 

Josie Balka and Kelton Balka

Josie and Kelton Balka just welcomed their baby girl! Hazel Sloane Balka arrived Monday, June 14th, 2021, weighing 6 lbs 3 oz and measuring 18 inches long. Visit the UPtv website to see the first photos of little Hazel and read a quote from the new parents. We think Hazel looks like big sister Willow. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Warden's Graduation

 

Warden Bates and Kelly Bates

'Tis the season for graduation parties! Gil and Kelly Bates' 13th child just graduated, and the family got together to celebrate his achievement. Warden turned 18 last month, so it's the perfect time for his grad party. Congratulations, Warden! The Bates have successfully homeschooled 13 children, with only 6 to go.

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Websters Drive to TN

It isn't summer without a road trip! This weekend, Alyssa Webster and her four girls made the trip up to Tennessee to see the rest of the Bates family. They were accompanied by Alyssa's sister-in-law and nephew. And what perfect timing, with Whitney having just delivered Jadon and with Josie and Tori's due dates quickly approaching. 

One of the most endearing aspects of the Bates family is watching everyone, even the guys, love on the little ones.

 

Trace Bates and Maci Jo Webster

 

Photo courtesy of @tracewbates

Continue to Pray for Jadon

 

Zach Bates and Jadon Bates

Zach and Whitney Bates shared an update on their sweet little boy, who has been in the NICU since shortly after his birth on June 7th. His right lung collapsed, and he was intubated and put on a ventilator. Thankfully, his since begun to improve, but we know the Bates would appreciate your continued prayers. 

Photo courtesy of @zachnwhitbates

Josie the 'Little Entrepreneur'

 

Kelton Balka and Josie Balka

"I always thought that I had a little bit of entrepreneur in me, but if you had told me a few years ago how much of a little entrepreneur Josie was on the inside, I would not have believed you."

-Kelton Balka

How exciting is it to see Kelton's plumbing business growing and thriving? He and Bobby share some details about Tennessee Standard and show off the warehouse space that they are renting. But Kelton quickly changes the topic and beings raving about his wife and her beauty business (web exclusive video below).

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

'The Websters' New Home and Nathan's Next Move' Recap

Bringing Up Bates "The Websters' New Home and Nathan's Next Move"

• Tori, Bobby, Kade, and Kolter, who now live a few doors down, arrive at Zach and Whitney’s house for dinner. Bobby is hoping to learn a few culinary tips, so he helps Zach in the kitchen while the ladies exchange baby clothes. Parmesan garlic lemon chicken is on the menu.
• Everyone loves the chicken. “I’ll be honest, I love it when a plan comes together,” says Zach. “And I’m happy with my food, but I’m also feeling a little bit good, like I’m a good neighbor or something.”
• In Florida, Addallee and Ellie are helping the Websters move into their new house. “Addee and Ellie are seriously the best,” says Alyssa. “Addallee is so great with the girls, and Ellie is just a baby whisperer. I have a lot of clothes, and I have a lot of shoes, so it might take a while. I probably would have cried a lot if they weren’t in town.” Meanwhile, Trace, Warden, Jackson, and Isaiah help John lay flooring at the new house.
• In Knoxville, Kelton and Bobby show off the 3,500 square foot warehouse for their home service plumbing business. They also have 1,500 square feet of office space. “God has really blessed us at Tennessee Standard,” says Kelton.
• Tori and Josie are due with babies one week apart, so the guys decide to hire another office employee to help them out.
• Callie and Jeb visit the Paine farm. Erin and Chad have a kitten, two pigs, some piglets on the way, and a baby goat. “Before I got married, I really didn’t think I was going to have animals and…grow vegetables and stuff like that,” says Erin. “But since I married Chad, all my goals in life are now to be a farmer and grow our own vegetables and be homesteaders.”
• Later, Nathan and Lawson visit Markman’s to pick up the ring that Esther fell in love with. Nathan is officially ready to propose! He starts grilling Lawson about his plans with Tiffany, and Nathan jokes that he expects Lawson to be the jewelry store’s next customer.
• “Lawson and Tiffany say that they’re going to be taking their time and waiting a couple years to get engaged, but I have a feeling it’s not going to go that way,” says Josie. “I can just tell that it’s going to move quickly, and I am honestly really excited.”