Kelton's birthday post

Kelly Jo posted 

Happy 31st Birthday, Kelton (one day late)! I got so excited when I began to research the meaning of your name! It’s such a fitting description of you; God definitely gave your parents insight as they chose it! It has a British & Scottish origin, & it means “keel town,” a seaside town where settlers made keels for sailing boats. That might not seem like a significant thing until you look up what a keel is & what its function is. “It acts as the backbone of the boat & is absolutely essential for keeping the vessel upright, preventing it from tipping over, & stopping it from being pushed sideways by the wind. It provides stability & lift.” When you apply this description in a spiritual sense, it’s a perfect description of YOU! You’re so wise, mature, well-rounded, focused, determined, skilled, thoughtful, & helpful. You are leadership material through & through, & you want to please God in your life, your family, & your business… & in the process, it’s easy to see how you bring stability in the lives of all those around you, keeping them balanced & upright. Your middle name Edward is also a mirror of your life, having an Old English origin, it means “wealthy guardian” or “prosperous protector.” We know that our true riches are not earthly riches, but are rather, the riches of God’s grace & His gift of eternal life. Your life as a protector & guardian, points people to that truth- the only real hope & help! Thank you for being such an incredible son-in-law, husband, father, friend, business man, & Christian! ❤️

Dakota's birthday posts

Kelly Jo posted a sweet birthday post to her grandson as he celebrated his first birthday. 

Happy 1st Birthday, Dakota James (one day late)! You’re such a happy baby, with such a bright smile! I look at you & have flashbacks of your dad as a boy! I see so much resemblance, & your joyful personality reminds me of him too. Your 1st name is from Native American origin, meaning “friend.” And your 2nd name in Hebrew means “to follow after,” & it has the connotation of “strength & protection.” In Latin it means “May God protect.” These names offer a perfect prayer for your life: May you be a friend of God, following after Him & enjoying the protection & strength He brings! And I can’t wait to watch you growing up & living out such a beautiful prayer! You’re a special young fellow, & as you get older, I hope it’ll be more & more clear to you just how loved you are- by God & by all of us! ❤️

New double birthday

Happy birthday Kelton and Dakota!

Kelly has confirmed that the baby boy's name is Dakota and he was born on July 4th.

Happy 1st birthday Dakota

Kelly has shared when Jackson and Emerson's little boy was born.

He shares a birthday with his uncle, Kelton, and Papa Bill.

Lawson and Tiffany are moving

We have some exciting news to share. 

Lawson and Tiffany are moving to Florida with their two boys. 

More photos from Warden and Kaybrie's wedding

We have new photos of Warden and Kaybrie's wedding photos. The couple got married in a private ceremony with the help of family members. It was Kaybrie's wish to have her father walk her down the aisle before he passed away.

July Birthdays

It's time to release our July birthdays cover photo.

William Bates (July 19), Willow Balka (July 19), Sarah Bates (July 12), Kelton Balka (July 4), Lawson Bates (July 27), and Dakota Bates (July 4)

Charlotte turns 5

Happy Birthday

GrandBates #4 joins 10 year old club

Kaci Lynn has celebrated her tenth birthday on June 20th!

She joins her brother (Bradley) and cousins (Allie and Charles).

Father's day 2026

Happy Father's Day 💙 

Kaci turns 10

Happy Birthday

Clark family moves to Texas

Katie has officially announced that the Clark family has moved to Texas.

Hazel turns 5

Happy Birthday

Kaia turns 1

Happy Birthday

Jadon turns 5

Happy Birthday

Kaybrie speaks out about her wedding

GrandBates born in June

This month the Bates family will celebrate nothing but grandbabies.

1. Jadon Bates is the son of Zach and Whitney Bates. He was born on June 7th! 

2. Kaci Bates is the daughter of Zach and Whitney Bates. She was born on June 20th.

3. Kaia Bates is the daughter of Trace and Lydia Bates. She was born on June 12th.

4. Charlotte Smith is the daughter of Bobby and Tori Smith. She was born on June 24th. 

5. Hazel Balka is the daughter of Kelton and Josie Balka. She was born on June 14th.

Hello June 2026

 Birthdays:

* Jadon Bates

* Kaia Bates

* Hazel Balka

* Kaci Bates

* Charlotte Smith

Other Posts:

* July birthdays cover

* Father's Day 2026

New photo of Weston Slade

Weston celebrated his second birthday just a few days ago.

Updated May Birthdays and anniversaries cover

Now that Warden and Isaiah have gotten married, it's time to update our May Birthdays and anniversaries cover.

Birthdays: Erin Paine (May 2), Charles Paine (May 14), Warden Bates (May 19), and Weston Smith (May 29)

Anniversaries: Warden and Kaybrie (May 5th), Isaiah and Sarah (May 9), Lawson and Tiffany (May 12), John and Alyssa (May 24), and Evan and Carlin (May 25)

Updated May anniversaries

The May Wedding anniversaries are now at five! 

Isaiah and Sarah got married on May 9th. Warden and Kaybrie got married on May 5th.

John and Alyssa have been married for twelve years. Evan and Carlin have been married for seven years. Lawson and Tiffany have been married for four years.

New photo of the Smith family

In honor of Weston's second birthday, Gil and Kelly share this new photo of the Smith family.

Their Birthdays: Bobby Smith (February 16), Tori Smith (December 20), Kade Smith (November 9), Kolter Smith (March 25), Charlotte Smith (June 24), Cambree Smith (August 2), Weston Smith (May 29), and Gage Smith (February 28).

Warden and Kaybrie are married

We are so excited to share that Warden and Kaybrie are married. The couple was married on May 5th.

The couple announced their relationship in March 2026. They would later announced their engagement in May 2026.

They plan to do a wedding celebration in September 2026.

Weston turns 2

Happy Birthday

Evan and Carlin

Happy anniversary 

John and Alyssa's 12th wedding anniversary

Happy anniversary

June birthdays cover

It's time for our June Birthdays cover.

Their Birthdays: Jadon Bates (June 7), Kaci Bates (June 20), Kaia Bates (June 12), Charlotte Smith (June 24), and Hazel Balka (June 14)

Ella with her parents

 We have been sharing photos of Ella's newborn photoshoot with her family and today we are sharing photos of her with her parents.

Warden turns 23

Happy Birthday to Warden Bates

Kaybrie finds her dress

She found her dress! The couple has not shared when they are getting married just yet.

New photo of Zach and Whitney's family

 We have new photos of the Bates family of eight.

Zach and Whitney were married in December 2013. They welcomed their first son (Bradley) in October 2014. They welcomed their first daughter (Kaci) in June 2016. They welcomed their second daughter (Khloe) in November 2019.

They welcomed their second son (Jadon) in June 2021. They would later welcomed their third daughter (Lily) in August 2023.

They most recently welcomed their fourth daughter (Ella) in April 2026.