Recap: Time to Reno-Bate!

Now that Erin, Michaella, and Alyssa are married, the girls decided to redo their bedroom. Michaella had decorated their room with pictures and love letters from Brandon and had taken them with her when she moved out.
Josie wants to add that there should be a rule about boyfriend's items on their wall. They should only be one picture by their bed.
Tori admits that there is only one problem coming up with a plan since there are so many opinions. Kelly sits down with the girls to talk about a plan.
Josie picks gray since it will match some of the decorations. Some of the girls like the color however Tori and Kelly are worried about the paint. Josie hopes that the decorations and curtains will help it out and it does. The girls loved it.
Lawson and Nathan return back from New York after visiting Ashley. Ashley comes with the boys to spend time with the family.
Trace thinks that there is something up with Nathan and Ashley since they have been getting to know each other for the past few months.
Zach and Whitney decided to do a redecorating project of their own. They have been doing a lot of projects around the house. Whitney figures that their couches do not match their white walls and black photo frames. Zach and Whit decided to go get a new couch which is black leather. The room is looking great.
Kelly, Tori, and Carlin are trying out a new recipe, honey mustard chicken. Since Tori is taking a break from college, she enjoys spending time cooking with her sister and mother.

Recap: Addee and Ellie's Pool party

Both Gil and Kelly try to spend one on one time with each other of their children. Gil is taking Josie for a private tennis lesson while Kelly takes Trace clothes shopping. Gil grew up playing tennis ad is happy that his daughter is wanting to learn a new skill.
Kelly reveals that the kids are picky about what clothes they were. Kelly feels like an old lady while shopping with her kids. Trace is graduating from high school in the winter and Kelly wants to know if he wants to work with Gil but he says that he is not really big for tree business. Kelly would love for her son to take a few classes at the college where Tori attends. Gil and Kelly have agreed that they would pay for the first semester but she assures him that it's his choice what he wants to do.
Trace thanks his mom for taking him shopping and he had amazing time with his mom.
Addee and Ellie are getting ready to celebrate their birthdays since they wanted to have a pool party. Addee and Ellie's birthdays are in February and April. Gil and Kelly decided to wait for summer to fulfill their wish about having a pool party. Whit's mom has a pool and invited the family over for a swim.
Lawson reveals that his parents have always tried to make every birthday special especially for the little ones. Gil and Kelly take the birthday kid out to a restaurant and then let them have a party with the family and friends.
The family is enjoying the pool and Zach wants to know where the cake is. Gil was supposed to getting the food on Kelly's list. He chose to buy two boxes of cake mix and brought them to the party.
Lawson jokes with his father about who is going to make the cake however Kelly assures her husband that he did good with the things that he got right.
Michaella shows up with a store brought cake and the family shares praises of the birthday girls. The family has made sharing the good of the birthday girls.
“If you’ve ever heard of constructive criticism, it doesn’t feel too constructive if you’re the one getting it,” says Gil. “But praise, or encouragement…is a powerful, powerful thing.”
“Affirmation from other people, when it’s real, means so much,” shares Nathan.

July 2015

The family only has one birthday this month which is Lawson. They celebrate fourth of July. Bringing up Bates keeps airing this month. Allie turns three months old this month while Carson turns two months old and then Bradley turns nine months old.

Recap: Nashville Son

The family is getting ready to plant a garden. Kelly and Gil are excited to be planting healthy garden. Gil and Kelly work on where they were going to put the garden. Gil thinks that their valley would be the best place due to where the water rolls down the hill. Kelly reminds her husband that the water comes from the sky and lands everywhere.
Kelly and her supporters to give in to the good attitude and asked Gil to build the playground for the little kids. Kelly reveals that when there is a difference of opinion that the family tries to stop and give the opinion. Kelly feels that there was some hard feelings about the garden. Gil gets ready to plow the land and prepare for the garden when Chad shows up to help the family.
Meanwhile, Lawson heads to Nashville to record a new song that was recently released. Lawson reveals that he took up a hobby a few years ago.  Lawson reveals that some of his songs were about his experience growing up and others.  Lawson reveals that he is nervous about the new song but he has a full time job as landscaping business but he is focusing on his music.
When he first gets to Nashville, Lawson meets with Joyce Martin for practice vocal training. Lawson heads to record his song with Ricky Skaggs. His new song is called problems and is song with Rachel Leftwhich which is Rick's niece.
Lawson heads over to talk to the president of Daywind Records Ed Leonards. After he is done with recording and the meetings, Lawson heads to the house.
Kelly reveals that she and Gil had no musical background and can't read a note. They wanted to have their children to learn music and so they can used it for a ministry.
Lawson, Nathan and Trace are asked who they think will be the next one to be married. Nathan thinks that it will be Lawson or Tori. Lawson adds that the girls like to jump early at leaving the house.
Kelly reveals that courtship is the biggest topic in the family since the kids like tease each other about their future husband or wives.
Lawson reveals that his parents are forcing the kids to get into courtship before they get married or the other way around. They pretty much tell their children to make their own choice and have promise to support, encourage and advise them.

Zach's blog: Cherishing Every Moment

I know he hasn’t made his debut in the show yet, but I’ve gotta tell you guys, Bradley is growing up so fast! Whitney and I are working hard to cherish every moment. Everyone keeps asking us how we’re adjusting to being new parents and if we’re having a tough time handling things but the truth is… Bradley has been easy on us! He is just a cool, chill and happy little baby. There’s no greater privilege in the world than to get to be his parents.

It was pretty cool to see Lawson record in Nashville. He’s definitely got a career ahead of him if he wants one. Proud of him!

Lawson's blog: The thing about rules…

Rules… we need lots in a family this big…lol! ! I realized that the rules my parents put in place were for our protection. They explained the reasons for the rules well and we had opportunity to see the results- both good and bad- in the lives of others who made choices to follow rules or to not follow them. My parents rules have helped each of us older kids be prepared to move out on our own, start families, and make wise choices. I think my brother and sisters who have already gotten married and moved out have been doing a really great job. They don’t hear me say that often, so I hope they’re reading this! Won’t happen again soon, ha! I’m sure I will face new and difficult challenges when I am in a courtship, but until then, I’m happy to say that I haven’t broken (too many) rules ;) Mom and Dad, hope you’re reading this too!

UP TV Lawson's blog: Feeling the Pressure!

Let’s all get this straight: I’m 22, I don’t even have a girlfriend, and Alyssa is married and about to have a baby. Nothing like feeling the pressure! I get it though… she’s far more mature than I am. Ha! Nathan and I are the only older single guys left in the house, and I’m pretty sure it will stay that way for at LEAST a few more months, if not years. Nathan and I are indeed the last of a dying breed. Even though I may not be ready for marriage and children, I’m so excited for both Zach and Alyssa and our ever-growing family!

New photos!

Chad and Erin Paine

Lawson, Ellie, Callie and Jusdon

Bradley Bates

A great deal!

Visit Lawson Bates's website

When you are going through the checkout, make sure that you put "Chirstmas14" and get 20% off. Please make sure that you do it before December 6th!

All about Bradley: Second week of life

Lawson and Bradley Bates

I must say that we can't believe that Bradley is two weeks old today. He had many visitors this week from both sides of the family. He smiled for the first time and still is a mommy's little boy. I hope that you enjoy some photos and we will see you guys next week for Bradley's third week of life.

Ellie and Bradley Bates

Alyssa and John came in to visit the family and got to meet Bradley for the first time

Erin Paine with Bradley Bates

Bradley Bates

Mommy and baby!

Lawson and Carlin's update

About a month ago, Gil and Kelly took Lawson and Carlin on a trip to California and the funny thing is that my computer just visited there and I am so happy that it's back. I hope that you enjoy these photos.

California Part 2

California Part 2

by THE BATES FAMILY on AUGUST 20, 2014

Since we were traveling west for a speaking engagement, we left a few days early to visit some of the famous landmarks! What an incredibly beautiful state! You could easily take a month to tour these sights, but we had to do a quick drive-thru version. We landed in Reno, Nevada, then drove to Yosemite National Park. Next, we headed for the massive trees in Sequoyah National Park. We stayed in Sacramento for a homeschool conference, then toured San Francisco with the Dauer family. We drove the famous Highway One along the coast to Monterey Bay and then on to Big Sur. Our last stop was a quick look at Lake Tahoe and the gorgeous Emerald Bay.

CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA

by KELLY on AUGUST 8, 2014

We recently traveled to California to speak and participate in a home school conference. Carlin went with us to assist with one of the children’s programs, called pre-embassy. Since Lawson hates to miss out on an adventure and had enough money to purchase a ticket, he decided to join us. Gil preached at Pastor Tim Polluck’s church in Lodi, California, for the Sunday school and Sunday evening services.  We stayed a few extra days to sightsee. The Dauer family graciously gave us a tour of San Francisco. One thing we came to realize, you just can’t soak in all of the beauty California has to offer in this short of a stay! 

Walking across the bridge was one of Carlin’s favorite things we did. You really have to walk on it to appreciate how big it is!