Tori turns 30

 Happy Birthday

Whitney's due date

Whitney has shared her due date on the newest question and answer on YouTube.

She is due on May 6, 2026.

Gil and Kelly's 38th wedding anniversary

Happy Anniversary 

Baby Brooks goes home

We are so excited to share that Brooks Hallum is home just in time for Christmas.

Bobby and Tori's 8th wedding anniversary

 Happy Anniversary

Zach and Whitney's 12th wedding anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Zach and Whitney. 

baby photos of Layla, Zade, and Navy Kate

We have baby photos of Layla, Zade, and Navy Kate.

Stewart photos

Evan and Carlin recently share that they have accidentally created a tradition.

They had originally did this photo shorty after Layla was born in 2020.

They did it again when Zade joined the family in March 2022.

So it wasn't a surprised when they did it in September 2025 when Navy Kate was born.

All about Brooks: Introduction

If you havent heard the news, Josie and Kelton welcomed their fourth child into the world on Sunday, December 6th.

The baby weighed 7lbs 1oz. He was 19 inches long.

Josie announced on Thursday that Brooks was in the NICU needing some extra care.

Updated December birthdays and anniversaries cover

Its time to update the birthdays and anniversaries cover for December. 

Birthdays:

- Zach Bates: December 30

- Tori (Bates) Smith: December 20

- Brooks Balka: December 6

Anniversaries:

- Travis and Katie Clark: December 3

- Zach and Whitney Bates: December 14

- Bobby and Tori Smith: December 16

- Gil and Kelly Bates: December 19

All about Kaia: Six months old

 Kaia is now six months old.

It feels like yesterday she was born.

Kelly shares about her grandfather

 This past Saturday, Dec. 6th, our grandson Brooks Hallum Balka was born! We’ve been excitedly waiting his arrival (but none of us knew the gender & it was such a thrill to get to meet him)! Josie had asked me a few weeks before her delivery if there was a family name that was special to me. I had told her about my grandfather Basil Hallum Callaham, Jr. (1900-1975); friends & family called him “BH” (the same initials and middle name as Brooks Hallum). He died when I was only 11 yrs. old, but I still remember so much about him! He was my favorite! He always slipped me a quarter at every visit & I would climb up in his recliner chair & sit all day! He served as a corporal in WWI, earning several medals & a Purple Heart. He was a constable, & he also worked as a security guard at the JP Stevens plant in SC. He owned a small restaurant called Cafe Lonsdale in the Lonsdale Mill Community of Seneca, SC, & later in life he owned a dry cleaner business on Main Street in Seneca, SC. He was a great Christian man with a lively sense of humor. I only wish my children could’ve known him, & now to have a namesake of his in the family literally brings tears to my eyes! What an incredible honor & legacy! Little Brooks is certainly going to hold a special place in my heart, because he’s a precious gift from God, but each time I hear his name my mind is going to race back to my childhood, & my heart is going to well up with so many extra emotions!

Update on Brooks Hallum

Josie just shared this message on her social media.

Our sweet Brooks made his arrival earthside and is spending a little extra time in the NICU getting the care he needs, surrounded by the most incredible nurses, doctors, and so much love. These past few months have held many moments of fear and concern, but God has been so faithful and near through every single stage of this journey. His protection over Brooks has carried us. Thank you for loving our family, lifting our tiny fighter up in your prayers, and celebrating every step forward with us. 🤍 As we sit here watching our baby boy improve daily, we are so thankful!

Baby Balka's name reveal

We recently announced that Kelton and Josie have welcomed their fourth child into the world. Kelton and Josie would later announce that the baby is a boy and now they are announcing the name of the little man. 

His name is Brooks Hallum Balka. He was born on December 6, 2025.

Oh Christmas Tree!

We have four new photos of the Stewarts, Balkas, Clarks, and the Websters as they pick out their Christmas tree.

Evan and Carlin are so excited for their first Christmas as a family of five as they just welcomed baby Navy Kate in September.

Kelton and Josie picked out their family's Christmas tree shortly before they welcomed their fourth child, a little boy.

Travis and Katie with their children.

John and Alyssa took their five children to pick out their Christmas tree.

Baby Boy or Baby Girl for Balkas?

Kelton and Josie have welcomed their second son into the world.

Welcome Baby Balka

We are so excited to share that Kelton and Josie have welcomed their fourth child into the world.

Baby time for Kelton and Josie

We are so excited to share that its baby time for Kelton and Josie.

All about Navy: three months old

 Navy is now three months old

Travis and Katie's 4th wedding anniversary

 Happy Anniversary! 

New photo of Kaia Rae

We have a new photo of Kaia Rae to share with you. At the time that this photo was taken she was four months old.

Hello December

Birthdays 

- Tori Smith 

- Zach Bates

Anniversaries 

- Travis and Katie Clark

- Zach and Whitney Bates

- Bobby and Tori Smith

- Gil and Kelly Bates

Birth announcement 

- Baby Balka

- Baby Boy Bates 

Other Posts

- Christmas 2025

- January birthdays cover 

- 2025 yearly recap 

November unseen birthdays cover

 The Bates family only had one double celebration this month. Alyssa and Kade celebrated their birthdays on November 9th

Thanksgiving photos 2025

We have photos from the Bates thanksgiving. 

Trace and Lydia

Lawson and Tiffany 

John and Alyssa 

The Paine children

Pumpkin Patch 2025

 Many of the Bates children went to the pumpkin patch in October 2025 and here are the photos.

Thanksgiving 2025

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Holland turns 6

 Happy Birthday

All about Henry: Three months old

 Henry is now three months old.

Websters Halloween costumes

We have new photos from the Websters as they celebrate Halloween.