Welcome to the Bates family blog! Gil and Kelly have been married since 1987 and have nineteen children. Twelve of their children have been married. They have thirty-two grandchildren. They have four children and eight grandchildren in heaven.
It's time for our May recap and this month we had a big month on the blog.
The Bates family celebrated three birthdays (Carson, Warden and Erin). The family also celebrated two wedding anniversaries (Stewarts and the Websters). The family also announced the engagement of Esther Keyes and Nathan Bates.
The Bates moms celebrated Mother's Day.
Chad, Erin and Brooklyn reveal the old camper that Chad and Erin just brought. The camper is a major fixer-upper and are looking forward to renovation. Erin reveals that she doesn't love the idea of tent camping but when Chad suggested renovating a camper, she was on board with it.
Gil, Kelly, Lawson, and Nathan are discussing their annual "I love you day" celebration. They do a face time call with the family and decided on doing an animal theme. Zach reveals that they all love bringing 101 opinions to a decision.
It's time for the Bates Sisters Boutique to move into their new storefront. Erin, Whitney and Carlin supervise and bring their employees as well. Carlin reveals that she thinks that they are just excited as they are since the layout is going to be a lot better.
Lawson has been traveling a lot but is home now and enjoying time with his dog, Duke. He plans to send the dog for three months of training. Lawson reveals that he is going to bring his girlfriend Tiffany to their "I love you day" party to meet the family.
Jackson is currently recovering from a snowboarding injury that he got on the family ski trip to Colorado. He had hit an ice patch while attempting to do a 360 and ended up snapping both of the arm bones. He had 13 screws and two metal plates put in his arm.
Holland is now 18 months old.
Since our last update, Holland has celebrate her family's birthdays. She celebrated Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and much more
The Paine's are tackling a new project; Gil, Kelly Jo and some of the kids have a family meeting to discuss ideas for their upcoming party; Whitney, Erin and Carlin rely on their family to help them move out of their old workspace.
The Paine and Smith couples are getting a getaway in Gatlinburg. The trip was a Christmas gift from Kelly. They are going to have a date night at Board and Brush which is a craft place. Erin reveals that her sister doesn't like to do anything outside of her comfort zone. Chad and Bobby talk about being a girl dad since Charlotte is due in about 21 weeks. Tori reveals that the little girl is just going to capture his heart.
The finished wooden signs look really good and here is what they say:
- Chad: Paine: Always Exploring, Since 2013 with a picture of an RV
- Erin: The Paines: Welcome
- Tori: BTS (Tori and Bobby's initials)
- Bobby: Bobby and Tori Smith: Est: 2017
Josie and Katie are doing a style shoot at a wedding venue Castleton Farms. This shoot will be featured in a bridal magazine. For those that don't know that Castleton Farms is where Evan and Carlin got married.
Over at Zach's house, Brandon and Michaella arrive with Lasagna and homemade bread. The boutique is overflowing into the house again and they are ready for the storefront to open. Michaella is finished with school and is planning to volunteer at the children's hospital until she decides where she wants to work.
Down in Florida, John and Alyssa are getting ready for the birth of their fourth daughter but first they have to pack the girls overnight bags. Alyssa has organized all of the outfits in each individual plastic bags. Soon after, Alyssa goes into labor. She and John dropped the girls at the houses that they are staying at. With her last three labors, Alyssa gives birth about eight hours later. This time it takes longer. After spending a day walking and doing exercise, John and Alyssa head to the hospital where she is able to get an epidural. Maci arrives shorty after. John is really excited to have his daughter join their little girl squad.
Soon after the Websters are home from the hospital, Gil, Kelly and Callie meet them at their house with gifts and food. Kelly says that it's hard for them to believe how good God has been. She adds that Maci is safe, Alyssa is healthy and they are so grateful.
Alyssa and John already have their hands full with three daughters; the Paines and the Smiths put their DIY skills to the test in crafts class and Bobby gets some tips from Chad on becoming a "girl dad."
Bobby and Tori just brought their first home and have moved into it. They revealed that they had been looking for a while but hadn't seen much on the market. When they were able to find a place for sale, it was perfect for them since it was two houses away from Zach and Whitney. Bobby and Tori give Zach, Whitney, Michaella and Brandon a tour of their new home. While they were spending time with the couples, Tori jokes that Chad and Erin are coming up with the design and decorations. Chad is planning to add a back porch which makes Tori excited about it. She reveals to Whitney and Michaella that she had Bobby put his clothes with the boys in the large closet so she can have their closet all to her self.
It's time to celebrate Layla's first birthday by going to the Zoo. The Bates family is joining Carlin, Evan and Layla. Meanwhile John and Alyssa are busy getting ready for Maci's arrival. They have to put together the baby items. Alyssa says that you would think after three kids that they would be prepared but things have gotten a little bit more complicated than before. Alyssa also reveals that she will be having baby #4 at the hospital instead of a birth center due to monitoring of her heart.
Alyssa jokes that at the age of 40, she and John will have grown kids in college and will be able to enjoy the grandchildren.
Meanwhile, the boys are busy building out the new retail space for the Boutique while Zach recently started to work for the tree business. Zach reveals that he would love to move around at 56 like his father instead of 33 moving around like he is right now. Carlin reveals that her dad is still the man and the hero of all of his children.
Nathan is at home and helping at the tree job. During their break, Nathan reveals an update on his relationship with Esther. He is wanting to get engaged this spring. He thinks that it's time to make the next step and make Esther's role change from girlfriend to a fiance. He hopes to pop the question in the Bahamas.
Welcome to the neighborhood! Tori and Bobby recently purchased a home and give Michaella, Brandon, Zach, and Whitney a tour of their new “home sweet home.” It’s also countdown to Baby #4 for Alyssa and John! As they’re assembling a swing chair, they discuss Alyssa’s delivery plan. Later, the Bates Sisters Boutique has a new workspace in downtown Rocky Top! Carlin, Whitney and Erin stop by the space to check out the renovations being done by Paine Construction and other family members. Finally, while on a tree job, Nathan updates Zach and Gil on how things are going with his new love, Esther. Is an epic proposal in the works?
We can't believe that Maci is now three months old.
This past month, she celebrated her sister's birthday and first Mother's Day.
Khloe is now 18 months old.
Since our last update, Khloe's parents announced that they are expecting their fourth child due next month.
It’s Mother’s Day and the Bates Family has more reasons than ever to celebrate Moms everywhere and the extraordinary work they do. This year, the Bates welcomed two new moms to the brood, not to mention several new babies! In this episode, we’re going to share those tender moments for the newest moms and latest babies, including footage never before seen on TV!
Birthdays:
* Erin Paine
* Carson Paine
* Warden Bates
Wedding Anniversaries:
* Evan and Carlin Stewart
* John and Alyssa Webster
Pregnancy Update:
* One month until Three Babies
All about Grandbabies:
* All about Maci (Three months old)
* All about Khloe (18 months old)
* All about Holland (18 months old)
Bringing Up Bates:
* Preview
* Recaps
Other Posts:
* Mother's Day
* June birthdays
* May Recap
