A New Ride for Mama B

Christmas came early for Kelly Bates, in the form of a very large gift. About five years ago, Katie totaled Kelly's car, and she decided to buy her mom an even nicer replacement and give it to her as an early Christmas present. Katie and Travis Clark found what they considered to be the perfect ride for Mama B, but it wasn't local. Travis had to hop on a plane to go pick it up and then drive it through the night back to East Tennessee. If you would like to see Gil and Kelly's reactions to the gift, check out the Clarks' most recent YouTube video.

Trace and Lydia Share Pregnancy News

As the year comes to a close, Trace and Lydia Bates have a big announcement to share. They are expecting another little one in 2025! The child will join brother Ryker Bates, who turned one in September. Lydia suffered a miscarriage back in February, so this is her rainbow baby.

Q&A with the Keilens

Michaela and Brandon Keilen recently filmed themselves answering a number of questions submitted by fans. They cover a variety of topics, including extended family, everyday life, and spiritual advice. The Keilens also share their thoughts on adoption (at 13:30). They can't provide details at the moment, but they do say that they are praying about it and pursuing it. 

Paines on Memories and Marriage

Erin and Chad Paine are still in their rental house but are planning to move before Christmas. They haven't shared where they are moving, but stay tuned for that announcement. In the meantime, they just filmed a video featuring eight questions, mostly focused around family Christmas memories and marriage. 

The Paines: Last Q&A of 2024

30 Questions for Her 30th Birthday

Today is Alyssa Webster's 30th birthday! She is Gil and Kelly Bates' sixth child. To celebrate, Alyssa sat down for 30 minutes to answer 30 questions about herself (video link below). Among other topics, she talks about the first time she wore pants, the story of her first kiss with John, and a recent conversation that she and John had about possibly having a sixth child. Happy birthday, Alyssa!

Alyssa Webster: Answering 30 Questions on My 30th Birthday

Baby Will 3 Months Old

How are new parents Lawson and Tiffany Bates doing? Baby Will Bates is three months old and has already had a very busy life. In their most recent YouTube video, the proud parents take him to both Myrtle Beach and Papa Bill and Mama Jane's farm (link below)).

Lawson and Tiffany Bates: Family Incident Leaves Us Speechless

Welcome, Graham Bates!

Last week was a busy one for the Bates family! It started off with the arrival of Harvey Gray Clark on September 29th. Harvey had oxygen issues soon after birth and had to spend some time in the NICU, but he is now home and doing well. The links to his birth story are below.

Harvey is Gil and Kelly Bates' 31st grandchild. Just five days after he was born, the parents of 19 welcomed their 32nd grandchild. Graham Alan Bates is the second child of Nathan and Esther Bates. He arrived on October 4th and weighed 6 lbs 15 oz. Graham shares a middle name with cousin Rhett Alan Webster, who was born in March 2023. 

To add to the excitement, a number of Bates, who are close friends of the Duggars, attended the wedding of Jason and Maddie Duggar on October 3rd. The wedding took place in East Tennessee.

Katie and Travis Clark: Harvey's Birth Story Part 1

Katie and Travis Clark: Harvey's Birth Story Part 2

Harvey's Arrival

Update: Harvey is now home and doing well. 

Harvey Gray Clark is here! He arrived later in the evening on September 29th, 2024, weighing 6 lbs 4 oz and measuring 19 inches long. His oxygen levels were dropping at birth, so he is receiving treatment at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Katie and Travis Clark say that Harvey is improving. Harvey weighed just 3 oz more than older sister Hailey, who was born in February 2023.

TWO Fall Bates Babies

Gil and Kelly Bates have 30 grandchildren, but that number is about to grow by two more. In October, two couples are due to deliver babies. Nathan and Esther Bates are expecting their second child, and Katie and Travis Clark are also expecting their second child. Both babies are boys, and both couples already have a daughter who is not yet two years old. Hailey Clark will be two in February, and Kenna Bates will be two on October 17th.

Michael Discusses Jana's Wedding

Jana Duggar, who is one of Michael Keilen's closest friends, got married on Michael and Brandon's ninth anniversary. In their latest YouTube video, the Keilen's talk about their time at the wedding and their visit with the Duggars. They also discuss their trip to Nashville, the volunteer work they do at their local children's hospital, and some of Michael's early memories at Papa Bill and Mama Jane's beach house. Located in Myrtle Beach, the house has been owned by Gil's parents for more than 35 years, but due to Papa Bill's declining health, it had been a while since they had visited. They were recently able to make a special trip over there with Gil, Kelly, Lawson, and Tiffany.

Interview with Allie, Lexi, and Zoey

It's hard to believe that it has been more than three years since the premiere date of the last-ever episode of Bringing Up Bates, which was followed by the announcement in January 2022 that the series was canceled. Do you remember the interview portion of the show? Alyssa and John Webster sat their three older girls down for an interview that really brings us back to their reality TV show days. Allie Webster (9), Lexi Webster (7), and Zoey Webster (6). The girls discuss their favorite things, their family, what they do for fun, and more. 

The Webster Family: You Asked our Kids These Questions

The Paines are Moving

It’s hard to believe that Erin and Chad Paine have lived in Florida for almost two years. They say they miss Tennessee but that they have fallen in love with the Sunshine State. In their most recent YouTube video, the parents of six share that they will be moving in the next few months. They are unable to renew the lease on their rental home, so they are praying for God to show them the next step, whether it be in Florida, Tennessee, or somewhere else. 

A Chat with Mama Jane Bates

The Bates absolutely adore Gil's parents--Papa Bill and Mama Jane. They were featured on various episodes of Bringing Up Bates, but it's time to get to know them even better. Erin Paine recently sat down for a chat with Mama Jane, who is now the full-time caretaker for Papa Bill, and uploaded the conversation to YouTube.

Keilens' 2nd Q&A

Michaela and Brandon Keilen are such kind-hearted people, each with a warm, infectious smile. You'll enjoy sitting down to watch their newest question and answer video, as they discuss their relationship with God, whether they have ever questioned the faith they were raised in, an update on their infertility journey, and other topics. 

Video: Michaela and Brandon Keilen--Question & Answer #2

Baby Will Meets His Family

William Daniel Bates has received a lot of love from his many, many family members since his arrival. The latest YouTube video from proud parents Lawson and Tiffany Bates is sure to bring tears to your eyes. Baby Will meets both sets of his grandparents, and Lawson explains the meaning behind his name. Later, Lydia Bates stops by to snap some newborn photos. Other visitors to the hospital include Nathan, Esther, and Kenna Bates and Michael and Brandon Keilen,

 

 

Another Shared Bates Birthday

Have you heard the exciting news? Lawson and Tiffany Bates delivered their baby boy! William Daniel Bates arrived July 19th, 2024, and weighed 7 lbs 2 oz. William is the 30th Bates grandchild, and he shares a birthday with five-year-old Willow Balka, the 10th Bates grandchild. That makes seven shared birthdays for Gil and Kelly Bates' clan.

William arrived eight days before Lawson's 32nd birthday. Part two of William's birth story is now on YouTube, and it features plenty of adorable face shots of the little guy.

William Daniel Has Arrived

Lawson and Tiffany Bates are officially parents! Sweet little William Daniel Bates has arrived safe and sound...and with a full head of hair. The first segment of his birth story was just uploaded to Lawson and Tiffany's YouTube channel.

William Daniel Bates

Expectant parents Lawson and Tiffany Bates just announced their son's name on YouTube: William Daniel Bates. This little guy will be the fourth generation to bear the name William. Both Lawson's dad and grandfather are William Gilvin Bates, and Lawson is William Lawson Bates. Erin and Chad Paine recently gave their sixth child the name William Gage Paine. And for their son's middle name, Lawson and Tiffany chose Daniel, which is Tiffany's father's name.

 

Q & A Video with Zach

Zach Bates has been filming his YouTube cooking show for almost four months now and has uploaded nearly 20 videos. In his most recent, Zach sites down to answer questions about cooking, his favorite things to eat, and family memories involving food. Have you made any Bates Kitchen recipes?

Baby Bates Coming Soon

Lawson and Tiffany Bates could welcome their first child any day now. This little guy will be Gil and Kelly Bates' 30th grandchild. In the midst of preparing for the baby's arrival, the expectant parents sat down to answer a few questions related to the birth and name, as well as schooling and other subjects. That video can be found on their YouTube video.

Harvey Gray Clark

Katie and Travis Clark's second child is due to arrive this fall, and the elated parents just announced their son's name on YouTube: Harvey Gray Clark. If you think you have heard the name Gray before, you are correct. Kolter Gray Smith, who was born in 2020, is the second of Tori and Bobby Smith's five children.

Photo Shoot with Baby Weston

We don't hear from Tori and Bobby Smith very often. They are busy living life with five children. Their youngest, Weston Slade Smith, arrived on May 29th, and Bates family photographer Lydia Bates took his newborn pictures. She and Trace recorded the session on video and uploaded the footage to their YouTube account so fans can see how much the Smith children have grown.

Check In with the Clarks

How are things going for Katie and Travis Clark, who recently moved to Tennessee? In their most recent YouTube video, they share news from their anatomy scan for Baby Boy Clark, and they play pickle ball with Gil and Kelly Bates and some of Katie's younger siblings. Later, they join Zach Bates, who is a real estate agent, to look for houses.

Another Bates Boy

'Tis the season for baby boys! The Bates family is in the midst of a big streak of grandsons. Ryker Bates kicked it off last September, followed by William Paine in October and Miles Balka in February. Weston Smith arrived just a few days ago. In early summer, Lawson and Tiffany Bates are expecting a son, and Katie and Travis Clark are due with a boy this fall. Nathan and Esther Bates are also looking forward to welcoming their second child this fall, and they just announced the gender. It's a boy! Can you believe it? 

This will make 32 grandchildren for Gil and Kelly Bates. Head over to our Birthdays page to total up now many boys and girls they have, and then come back to the comments section to report back.

Welcome Baby Weston

Tori and Bobby Smith welcomed their fifth child! Weston Slade Smith was born May 29, 2024, weighing 6 lbs 9 oz. Weston joins four older siblings--Kade Smith (five), Kolter Smith (four), Charlotte Smith (three in June), and Cambree Smith (two in August).

Q&A with the Keilens

Brandon and Michaela Keilen have been producing quite a bit of YouTube content. They just uploaded a question and answer video, in which they respond to a variety of questions, some lighthearted and others more serious. This couple is always so enjoyable to listen to, so be sure to watch. 

Baby BOY Bates

Lawson and Tiffany Bates are having a boy! The pair just announced the gender of their child, due early this summer. In true Bates fashion, they threw a party for the clan. This will be the 30th Bates grandchild but only the fourth boy with the last name Bates. You can watch the reveal in Lawson and Tiffany's latest YouTube video.

Announcement at Valentine's Day

The Bates' 2024 I Love You Day party was one for the books. It's always exciting when everyone gathers together, and Kelly's Valentine's Day celebrations are always a blast. This year, the family was extra shocked when two couples (Katie and Travis Clark and Nathan and Esther Bates) announced that they were each expecting their second child. Lawson and Tiffany Bates uploaded a YouTube video of the footage. If you remember, Lawson and Tiffany shared the news of their rainbow baby during the Bates' Christmas party. Maybe there will be another announcement at the Bates' next get together!

Baby Clark is a…

Katie and Travis Clark recently announced that they are expecting their second bundle of joy. They just revealed the gender, and it’s a boy! He is due this fall. 

Cooking with Mama B

Have you heard about Zach Bates' newest venture? He just started a YouTube cooking show called Bates Kitchen. So far, he has shared his recipes for creamy lemon basil chicken, homemade pasta, quesadillas, and chicken alfredo. He also invited his mom to be a guest on the show and share her recipe for chicken salad. In the video, Kelly Bates walks her oldest son through how to prepare it, and she also shares some Callaham family history.

Travis is Going on Tour

Katie and Travis Clark just dropped a big announcement. Their move to East Tennessee is a decision that they have been praying about since the middle of last year, and the reason is something that they can now share. Travis is going on tour! The artist's name is Joseph Habedank, and the tour starts soon. Living in Knoxville will allow Travis to be a few hours from Nashville, while Katie and Hailey are close to family.

Bates Visit Nashville

You’re going to really enjoy Lawson and Tiffany Bates’ most recent YouTube video. A group of family members travels to Nashville for a visit, and everyone stays at Lawson and Tiffany's house. Among the visitors are Gil and Kelly Bates, Callie Bates, Tori and Bobby Smith, Erin and Chad Paine with baby William, and Nathan and Esther Bates with Kenna.

Lawson and Tiffany babysit Kenna while the rest of the family goes out. Later, Chad gives Gil a haircut, Bobby cooks breakfast, and then everyone goes to a Southern gospel concert.

 

Clarks Announce Baby #2

It's a season of change for Katie and Travis Clark. They recently relocated to East Tennessee, and now they just made another big announcement. Katie is pregnant with Baby #2! She and Travis found out the news in early February, while they were en route to Tennessee for the Bates' I Love You Day party, which was less than two weeks before Hailey's first birthday. You can watch their announcements to their family members in their latest YouTube video. 

This baby will make 32 grandchildren for Gil and Kelly Bates, with four more on the way. Esther Bates is due in fall, while Tiffany Bates is due in summer. Tori Smith is due with her fifth soon.

The Keilens Tell Their Story of Infertility

Michael and Brandon Keilen will celebrate nine years of marriage in August. Many of you know that they have experienced infertility. They shared parts of their journey on the show, but for the first time they are ready to tell more of their story publicly. So grab a box of tissues and sit down with the Keilens, as they walk viewers though the joys and sorrows that they have experienced along this road of infertility (YouTube link below). After years of being unable to get pregnant, this precious couple found out that they were expecting a little girl, and you can imagine how elated they were. That joy soon turned to grief, but it was through that grief that they truly felt God’s presence. 

Brandon and Michael Keilen: Our Infertility Story

Zach's New Cooking Show

It's no secret that Zach Bates loves to cook. Over the years, the eldest Bates child has been seen making meals for his family and the entire Bates clan. Now fans can follow along as Zach shares his favorite recipes with the world, as he just kicked off a new venture called Bates Kitchen. His first video, "My Favorite Chicken Alfredo Recipe," is now available on YouTube.

New TN Residents

Katie and Travis Clark have officially arrived in East Tennessee...to stay! The couple announced just last month that they would be leaving New Jersey. Moving day has come and gone, and they are now settled into their new apartment. Katie will be close to her family, and Hailey Clark will have plenty of cousins to play with.

Katie and Travis shared a YouTube video that shows footage of them packing up their belongings and enjoying their last moments in New Jersey. They still own their house and are renting it out. Katie has lived in New Jersey since she and Travis got married in December 2021.

Bates Couple Announces No. 2

Get ready! There's another wave of Bates babies coming soon. Tori and Bobby Smith announced last October that they were expecting their fifth baby, followed by Lawson and Tiffany Bates' announcement of their rainbow baby on the way earlier this month. And now, Nathan and Esther Bates have jumped on board. They just shared that little Kenna will be gaining her first sibling this fall.

Gil and Kelly Bates gained five grandchildren in 2023 (Hailey Clark, Rhett Webster, Lily Bates, Ryker Bates, and William Paine). Considering that one baby (Miles Balka) has already arrived in 2024, do you think this will be an even bigger year for Bates babies?

Alyssa's Trip to SC...and John at Home

 "Sunday--the day we need Alyssa the most. I do not know how to get these kids ready."

-John Webster

While Alyssa Webster and Rhett Webster took a recent trip to South Carolina to visit Alyssa's grandparents, John Webster held down the fort at home. Each of them documented the time and combined the footage to create a YouTube video. How do you think it went? After you watch the video, come back here and post a comment.

Video: Making Memories I'll Always Cherish

Another Bates Baby

In December, we posted the heartbreaking news of Lawson and Tiffany Bates' miscarriage. Before Christmas, they actually found out that they were expecting again, and they just made that announcement public. 

In their latest YouTube video, they show Tiffany telling Lawson. They also show the moment when they share the news with Kelly Bates over FaceTime and then ask her to make them an appointment with Dr. Vick, the Bates family's trusted OBGYN. Lawson writes a sweet letter to the baby, as well. He or she is due to arrive in early summer 2024.

Why are the Clarks Moving?

Have you heard Katie and Travis Clark's big news? They are moving to East Tennessee! We posted the announcement last month. Many have guessed that they are leaving New Jersey because Katie is homesick for her family, but that's actually not the reason. Travis wants to be more dedicated to his music career, and in order to spend more time in Nashville, it makes sense to live in Tennessee. 

Katie and Travis still want to be close to family, though, so they are renting a two bedroom apartment in the Knoxville area, with the idea that Travis will commute to Music City. You can hear more about the couple's plans in their latest YouTube video.

Sewing 11 Prairie Dresses

"My mom pours her heart into I Love You Day, and I feel like my siblings do, too. My mom starts planning months in advance."

-Michael Kielen

After seeing all the beautiful costumes that the Bates wore for their Little House on the Prairie themed I Love You Day celebration, many of you have wondered who made them. If you guessed that Michael played a big role, you're correct, but the work was far from drudgery for her. 

In their latest YouTube video, Michael and Brandon Keilen discuss their preparation for the Valentine's Day party. Michael, who loves sewing, says it was "like a dream come true" to have an opportunity to design and create 11 dresses. While she made the outfits, Brandon built a wagon to give the kids rides during the party. 

Still, the Keilens insist that matriarch Kelly Bates is the real MVP when it comes to preparing for I Love You Day. "I am truly amazed at how my mom does this over and over and over again because she thinks of every single person," says Michael.

Meet Miles Balka

Josie and Kelton Balka’s son is still in the hospital having blue light therapy, but his numbers are improving, and he is down to one light. The proud parents just announced their baby’s name: Miles Kelton Balka. He was born February 21st and weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. 

Clarks are Moving

 Josie and Kelton Balka just delivered their baby boy on Wednesday and are still in the hospital while their son has blue light therapy. Meanwhile, Katie and Travis Clark just shared a big announcement of their own. They are moving from New Jersey to Tennessee! 

It’s a BOY!

One of the Bates couples just had a baby and waited until the birth to find out the gender. It’s a boy! Can you guess who the parents are? Hint: They already have two girls. Josie and Kelton Balka delivered their son this week and were elated at the surprise. 

Bates' 'Little House' Costume Party

How many of you are Little House on the Prairie fans? If you are, you're going to love the theme for the 2024 Bates Valentine's Day gathering. We already posted the link to Carlin and Evan Stewart's video from the event, but a few more couples have since shared their footage. What did you think of the costumes?

Trace and Lydia Bates ('I Love You Day')

Katie and Travis Clark ('I Love You Day')

Erin and Chad Paine ('I Love You Day')

Trace and Lydia Bates (Couples' Dinner)

Bates 'I Love You Day' 2024

If you are a long-time fan of the Bates family, you've likely heard about their annual gathering for Valentine's Day, which they call 'I Love You Day.' Every year, Kelly Bates plans a big costume party for the entire family and a separate dinner for all the couples. For the past several years, they have chosen a theme and have awarded prizes for the best costumes. 

This year, the theme was Little House on the Prairie. The festivities took place this weekend, and Carlin and Evan Stewart have already shared footage of both the costume party and couples dinner on YouTube.

2022: Bible characters

2021: Noah's ark/animals 

2020: Roaring '20s

2019: Chivalry/medieval

2018: Growing Old Together

Keilen's New YouTube Channel

Michael and Brandon Keilen started a YouTube channel! They uploaded a video about how they met, and they hope to share new videos every week.

Websters' Christmas with Kelly

It has been a while since we've posted an update on Alyssa and John Webster and their family of seven. They were unable to attend Bates family Christmas in Tennessee, so Kelly traveled down to Florida to bring Christmas to them. She spent time with the Websters, the Paines, and Jackson and Emerson Bates. Alyssa and John uploaded a video to YouTube, as did Erin and Chad Paine. Kelly's time with the Paines celebrating Christmas ended up being a double blessing, as she was able to help out after Erin had broken her arm.

Bates Family Ski Trip 2024

The Bates family just returned from their annual ski trip out West. They spent time on the slopes of Colorado and made plenty of memories together. Poor 14-year-old Callie broke her arm while snowboarding, but according to Kelly she was a trooper and didn’t even complain. Trace and Lydia Bates posted a 25-minute YouTube video of their trip out there with three-month-old Ryker. 

Bates New Year's Q&As

We hope your 2024 is off to a good start. To ring in the new year, two of the Bates couples have filmed Q&A videos. In theirs, Trace and Lydia Bates talk about Lydia's dream vehicle, their plans for moving to a bigger house, Lydia's photography business, and more. In Erin and Chad Paine's video, the topics include filming, Chad's work, how to de-stress, and others. The Paines also give a one word description of each Bates sibling.

Trace and Lydia Bates: New Year Q&A

Erin and Chad Paine: First Q&A of 2024