Katie and Travis' First Christmas

 

Katie and Travis Clark

It has been almost two weeks since Katie and Travis returned from their honeymoon and made the drive from Tennessee to their new home in New Jersey. They uploaded a YouTube video of their first week together in their new house (link below). After the video was filmed, they welcomed two visitors, Addallee and Ellie. 

Video: Katie and Travis' Clark's First Christmas 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Zach Turns 33

Happy 33rd birthday to Gil and Kelly Bates' first child, Zach!

 

Whitney Bates, Bradley Bates, Kaci Bates,

Khloe Bates, Zach Bates, Jadon Bates

 

Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates, Zach Bates, Khloe Bates

December 2019

 

Zach Bates and Whitney Bates

2016

Photos courtesy of @zachnwhitbates

Christmas with the Bates 2021

 

Gil and Kelly Bates

Christmas 2021

How was your Christmas? Following an early celebration at Gil and Kelly's house, many of the married Bates kids either spent the holiday in their own homes or with their in-laws. Gil and Kelly and the younger children, as well as Nathan and Esther and Trace and Lydia, traveled to the family farm to be with Gil's parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

 

Michael and Brandon Keilen

Christmas 2021

Photos courtesy of thebatesfamily.com; keilencorner.com

Trace and Lydia

Trace is spending Christmas with his girlfriend, Lydia. In case you missed it, we posted about their relationship earlier this month. The two are spending time with Papa Bill and Mama Jane at the farm in Honea Path, South Carolina. Merry Christmas to all!

 

Lydia, Trace Bates, Mama Jane Bates, Papa Bill Bates

Photo courtesy of @tracewbates

Bates #7 Turns 26

Happy 26th birthday to Tori Smith! Tori is the 7th of Gil and Kelly Bates' 19 children. She and Bobby just celebrated their four-year wedding anniversary (that sure came fast!) four days ago. They are the parents of Kade (3), Kolter (1), and Charlotte (almost 6 months).

 

Tori Smith and Bobby Smith 

Bringing Up Bates Season 10

 

Michael Keilen and Tori Bates

Tori's bachelorette party

Photos courtesy of UPtv

Nathan and Esther's Wedding Video

 

Nathan and Esther Bates

Nathan and Esther Bates are approaching their two-month wedding anniversary. They tied the knot on October 22nd at the Star Barn in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. With help from Erin and Chad Paine and other Bates family members, they restored an RV that they are living in for their first year. This will allow them to travel easier.

Nathan and Esther Bates' Wedding Highlight Video 

Photo courtesy of natebates93

Bates Celebrate 34 Years

Gil and Kelly Bates are coming in strong with the third and final December Bates anniversary. (Next year, when Katie and Travis celebrate one year of marriage, there will be four anniversaries.) Zach and Whitney had their eight-year anniversary on the 14th, followed by Tori and Bobby's four-year on the 16th. And today is Gil and Kelly's 34th wedding anniversary!

 

Gil and Kelly Bates

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Saying Goodbye to Katie

Just a few days ago, newlyweds Katie and Travis Clark returned from their honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas. They flew into Nashville and drove three hours to Rocky Top to see the Bates. Gil and Kelly also threw their annual Bates family Christmas party during that time. After the gathering, it was time for Katie to say her goodbyes. She and Travis are starting a new chapter and a new life in New Jersey. With Katie gone, there are now only three Bates daughters left at home.

 

Kelly Bates, Katie Clark, Gil Bates

Photo courtesy of @kgbates2000

Smiths Celebrate 4 Years

December is a popular time to get married if you're a member of the Bates family! Including Katie and Travis, there are now four Bates couples with December anniversaries. Today is Tori and Bobby's big day. Happy four-year to the Smiths!

 

Tori and Bobby Smith

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Erin's Baby Bump

It's almost baby time for Erin and Chad Paine! They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their fifth child, Finley Marie Paine. Erin is due in January 2022, so it won't be long. Here's a photo of the proud (and very thankful) mama showing off her baby bump at Katie and Travis' wedding.

 

Chad Paine and Erin Paine

 Photo courtesy of chadanderin.com

Zach and Whitney Celebrate 8 Years

Happy anniversary to Zach and Whitney Bates! They were the second Bates couple to get married and are now celebrating eight years. 

 

Zach Bates and Whitney Bates

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Trace's Special Someone

 

Trace Bates

It sure has been quite the season for relationships in the Bates family! It wasn't too long ago that Lawson, Nathan, and Trace were all talking about their singleness and wondering when they would find love. Now, each one is either married, engaged, or in a relationship. Trace just announced that he is seeing a girl named Lydia Romeike.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Katie and Travis' Honeymoon

 

Katie and Travis Clark

Katie Bates and Travis Clark became Mr. and Mrs. Clark last Friday at Castleton Farms in Loudon, Tennessee. After their wedding, they did what most brides and grooms do. They left on their honeymoon! The newlyweds are down in Cabo San Lucas, on the Baja California Peninsula. No photos yet, but we knew you would be eager to hear where they went.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Katie and Travis' Wedding

 

Katie Bates and Travis Clark

Engagement

It was a beautiful day for a wedding in East Tennessee! Katie Bates became Katie Clark this afternoon during an outdoor ceremony, which was attended by 400 guests. Us Weekly has the exclusive story and first photos of the big day. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

1 Day 'Til Bates Wedding #9

The big day is almost here! Katie Bates is set to marry Travis Clark tomorrow in Loudon, Tennessee. The ceremony and reception will take place at Castleton Farms, the same wedding venue where Carlin and Evan Stewart tied the knot. The bride and groom picked up their marriage license, and everyone is working busily to prepare. Stay tuned for more updates. 

 

Travis Clark and Katie Bates

Photo courtesy of @kgbates2000

Whitney Loses Her Father

We shared a few days ago that Whitney Bates' father, JC Perkins, was in the hospital and in need of prayer. Tragically, he passed away over the weekend. Please continue to pray for Whitney and her mom, Lynn, and their family.

Prayers for Whitney's Dad

 

Zach and Whitney Bates with Whitney's parents

Vow renewal

Due to complications from a procedure he had last week, Whitney Bates' dad is in the ICU suffering from septic shock. His body is not responding well to treatment. Zach and Whitney have said that they would appreciate prayer, as Whitney's father needs a miracle at this point. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Holland Turns 2

We hope our American readers had a very happy Thanksgiving!

Happy 2nd birthday to Holland Paine! Holland is Erin and Chad Paine's fourth child, and she will soon be a big sister. Little sister Finley Marie Paine is due in January 2022. 

 

Erin Paine and Holland Paine

 

Holland Paine

Photos courtesy of chadanderin.com; @chad_erinpaine

Erin Leaves the Boutique

 

Chad Paine, Erin Paine, Zach Bates, Whitney Bates, Carlin Stewart

The Bates Sisters Boutique website, which opened for business in April 2019, was founded by Erin Paine, Whitney Bates, and Carlin Stewart. Now, two-and-a-half years later, Erin and Chad Paine have just announced that God is leading them to focus on other business and ministry ventures, so Erin is leaving the boutique. Kelly Bates will be jumping into some of the roles that Erin once filled. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Baby Stewart #2 Gender Reveal

 

Carlin Stewart, Layla Stewart, Evan Stewart

Carlin Stewart is 20 weeks pregnant with her second child, due April 9th, 2022. Members of the Bates and Stewart families gathered at the Bates Sisters Boutique yesterday for the gender reveal party. Carlin and Evan threw darts at black balloons until they hit the one filled with colored powder, and they just uploaded a video. Post your guess as a comment, and then head over to their YouTube channel to watch the clip (link below). 

Gender Reveal for Carlin and Evan Stewart's 2nd Baby

Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Bates Cook-Off Throwback

"What's the eye test? He calls Mom over and says, 'Mom, put your eye on this, see if it's ready."

-Zach Bates

In this throwback Bates web exclusive video, which was released almost three years ago, the family gathers for a cooking competition. Zach Bates, Erin Paine, and Lawson Bates are the contestants, and the other members of the clan are the judges (video below).

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Camping with the Bates

 

Carlin Stewart, Layla Stewart, Evan Stewart

Would you consider yourself to be someone who likes to camp? Some of the Bates would say yes. For Josie and Kelton Balka, it has become a family tradition that they have enjoyed multiple times since being married. This fall, they took Willow and Hazel camping in September and again last weekend. 

Carlin and Evan Stewart went camping this weekend, and also last October. Looking back, we have seen other Bates family members pitch their tents quite a few times, including during the season five episode "The Fabulous Backwoods Bates Boys." Some of the kids camped out in the backyard in "Nashville Nights and Country Campouts." After providing food and helping with the logistics, Kelly was quoted saying, "As parents, we're over the camping days, but we do it for our kids."

 Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Nail Art With Zach Bates

 

Kaci Bates and Zach Bates

"I've always, in the back of my mind, made a mental note-to-self that as we have more kids, to try to carve out that time that I can spend one-on-one. You always want to make sure that they know that there's lots of love to go around."

-Chad Paine

In honor of Khloe Bates' second birthday, which was three days ago, we're throwing it back to October 2019, when Zach, Whitney, Bradley, and Kaci were patiently awaiting her arrival. In this video, Zach spends some quality time with Kaci and engages in a girly activity that his younger siblings don't expect him to be very good at.

For those who haven't heard, the new season of Bringing Up Bates is slated to return on February 10th, 2022.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Celebrating Alyssa and Kade

Today is the fifth and final "double Bates birthday" of the year. That's right, the Bates have five shared birthdays annually. That means that about 20 percent of the Bates family members have a birthday buddy. Talk about low odds! So who are they celebrating today? Alyssa Webster is turning 27, and Kade Smith is turning three. Happy birthday to Alyssa and Kade!

 

John Webster and Alyssa Webster

 

Zach Bates, Whitney Bates, Alyssa Webster

 

Alyssa and John Webster

 

Alyssa Webster

 

Tori Smith, Kolter Smith, Kade Smith, Bobby Smith

 

Kade Smith

 

Kade Smith

Photos courtesy of UPtv

Khloe Turns 2

Happy 2nd birthday to Khloe Bates! Khloe is Zach and Whitney Bates' 3rd child and Gil and Kelly Bates' 11th grandchild.

Whitney Bates and Khloe Bates

 

Khloe Bates

Photos courtesy of @zachnwhitbates

Katie's Bachelorette Trip

A couple days ago, several of the Bates women flew into Orlando for Katie's bachelorette trip. Kelly and all but one of Katie's bridesmaids are staying in a house with a pool while they celebrate the bride-to-be. Katie's bridesmaids are Josie, Carlin, Alyssa, Whitney, Addallee, Kayla (Travis' sister), and Caitlin (a friend). Everyone but Kayla was able to make it. 

The ladies have enjoyed lots of girl time, including massages, facials, a fancy meal at the Cheesecake factory, and pottery making. 

 

Whitney Bates, Carlin Stewart, Addallee Bates, Katie Bates,

Josie Balka, Alyssa Webster, Caitlin Kaetzer

Photo courtesy of @kgbates2000

Paines Celebrate 8 Years

Today is Erin and Chad Paine's anniversary. Erin was the first of Gil and Kelly Bates' children to get married, and she and Chad are approaching one decade of marriage. Happy eight years to the Paines! 

 

Chad Paine and Erin Paine, 2016

 

Chad and Erin Paine, 2021

Photos courtesy of chadanderin.com

Bradley Turns 7

Happy 7th birthday to Bradley Bates! Bradley is the eldest of Gil and Kelly Bates' 18 grandchildren. He was born in October 2014, followed by Allie Webster in April 2015 and Carson Paine in May. 

 

Bradley Bates

1st birthday

 

Bradley Bates

2016 photo shoot with Taryn Yager

 

Carson Paine and Bradley Bates 

Bringing Up Bates Season 9

Photos courtesy of UPtv

An Italian Engagement

If you guessed that Lawson and Tiffany’s trip to Italy would result in an engagement, you were correct! Lawson proposed at the Tenuta Larnianone, an estate and winery located in Siena. People Magazine has the exclusive story and photos. 

 

Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen

I Love You Day 2021

 Photo courtesy of UPtv

Kelly Jo's Birthday

Happy 55th birthday to Kelly Jo Bates! This year, the Bates matriarch is spending her special day in Italy with Lawson, Tiffany, and Tiffany's parents. 

Gil and Kelly Bates

Bringing Up Bates Season 10

 

Kelly Bates and Gil Bates
2020

Gil and Kelly Bates

Bringing Up Bates Season 4

 

Kelly Bates, Gil Bates, Brandon Keilen, Bradley Bates

Bringing Up Bates Season 1

Photos courtesy of UPtv; thebatesfamily.com

Lawson and Tiffany in Italy

The Bates have gone from one exciting event to another. The entire family gathered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for Nathan and Esther's wedding on Friday, and then some of the ladies headed to New Jersey for a bridal shower put on by Katie's future in-laws. 

And now, Lawson, Tiffany, Gil, Kelly, and Tiffany's parents are on a big adventure overseas. They're in Italy!

 

Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen

Photo courtesy lawsonbates.com

Katie's Bridal Shower

One 2021 wedding down, and one more to go! After Nathan and Esther's wedding in Pennsylvania, a number of the Bates drove over to New Jersey to celebrate bride-to-be Katie. Katie had a wedding shower in Tennessee earlier this month, but this was an opportunity to celebrate with her future in-laws, as well as her mom and most of her sisters.

 

Addee Bates, Josie Balka, Hazel Balka, Layla Stewart, Carlin Stewart,

Katie Bates, Whitney Bates, Maci Webster, Alyssa Webster,

Lexi Webster, Allie Webster, Zoey Webster

 Photo courtesy of @kgbates2000

Nathan’s Fairytale Wedding

As we shared yesterday, Nathan Bates and Esther Keyes were married yesterday afternoon at the Star Barn in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Fox News has the exclusive, as well as a stunning photo of the bride and groom. They each made their own very fitting grand entry to the event, which was attended by approximately 350 friends and family members. 

Nathan Bates Marries Esther Keyes

Another Bates wedding is in the books! Nathan Bates and Esther Keyes became husband and wife this afternoon, during a beautiful ceremony in picturesque Pennsylvania. Gil and Kelly Bates haven't attended a wedding since Carlin married Evan in May 2019, and they haven't watched a son tie the knot since Zach married Whitney in December 2013. 

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Bates! No wedding photos have been released yet, but we will keep you in the loop.

Gender and Name of Baby Paine #5

It's the day before Nathan Bates' wedding, but Erin and Chad Paine took a few minutes out of their busy schedule to share the gender and name of their fifth child with the world. They posted an adorable reveal video to YouTube. Before watching the clip, go ahead and post your guess in the comments section.

Chad Paine and Erin Paine

Photo courtesy of chadanderin.com