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! ❤️

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.

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)

Tori joins the 30 year old club

This year has been a busy year for the 30 year old birthday club as we have welcomed Bobby, Evan, and Kelton into the club. We are back today to add one more into the birthday club.

Tori joins Bobby Smith, Kelton Balka, John Webster, Brandon Keilen, Evan Stewart, Chad Paine, Whitney Bates, Alyssa Webster, Lawson Bates, Zach Bates, Erin Paine, Michaella Keilen, and Nathan Bates.

Evan joins 30 year old birthday club

 It's time to update the 30-year-old birthday club now that Evan has celebrated his 30th birthday.

Evan joins Erin (Bates) Paine, Alyssa (Bates) Webster, Brandon Keilen, Bobby Smith, and Kelton Balka.

He also joins Whitney (Perkins) Bates, Nathan Bates, Lawson Bates, Zach Bates, John Webster, Michaella (Bates) Keilen, and Chad Paine.

Unseen July Birthdays photos

 In the month of July, The Bates have two double birthdays. The first one is Kelton and Papa Bill. As many of you know that Papa Bill passed away in May 2025 so this year marked his first birthday in heaven.

Papa Bill would have celebrated his 87th Birthday while Kelton celebrated his 30th birthday.

The second one is with William and Willow.

Willow celebrated her 6th birthday while William celebrated his 1st birthday.

Kelton joins 30 year old club

 Another Bates family member has turned 30 years old! We will be back in August for when Evan celebrates his 30th birthday.

Kelton joins Alyssa (Bates) Webster, Bobby Smith, Erin (Bates) Paine, and Brandon Keilen.

He also joins Whitney (Perkins) Bates, Nathan Bates, Lawson Bates, Zach Bates, John Webster, Michaella (Bates) Keilen, and Chad Paine.

July Birthdays cover

We are so excited to be sharing the July Birthdays cover with you all. This month, the family has five birthdays.

Their Birthdays are Willow Balka (July 19), Papa Bill Bates (July 4), Kelton Balka (July 4), William Bates (July 19), and Lawson Bates (July 27).

Father's Day 2025

 Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Brandon is the foster dad of two. Gil is the dad of nineteen children. Zach is the dad to five children. John is the dad of five children. Nathan is the dad of two children. Evan is the dad of two children (with one on the way). Chad is the dad of six children (with one on the way). Bobby is the dad of five children. Kelton is the dad of three children (with one on the way)

Travis is the dad of two children. Lawson is the dad of one child (with one on the way). Trace is the dad of one (with one on the way). Jackson has a child on the way due any day.

Turning 30 in 2025

Can you believe that there are three that will be celebrating their 30th birthday very soon? Bobby was the first one to celebrate his 30th birthday in February 2025.

Kelton will be first when he celebrates his 30th birthday on Fourth of July. Evan will follow in August 2025 then Tori will celebrate her 30th birthday in December 2025.

Updated July Birthdays cover

Now that William has arrived, we can share our updated July Birthdays! There is also a new double birthday. Willow and William share a birthday.

Fourth of July 2024

 We hope that you have a wonderful Fourth of July! We also want to wish Papa Bill and Kelton a very happy Birthday.

Kelton is celebrating his 29th birthday while Papa Bill is celebrating his 86th birthday.

July Birthdays cover

July is in a few days and that means that it's time to release our July Birthdays cover. 

Father's Day 2024

 Happy Father's Day

New photos of Kelton and his baby girls

We have new photos of Kelton and his daughters. 

Fun fact about Kelton and Josie's family: Hazel turned two in June. Willow turned four in July.

New photo of Kelton

We have a new photo of Kelton to share with you all. 

New photo of Kelton and Papa Bill

In honor of Papa Bill and Kelton's birthdays, we have new photos of them.

Birthdays for Kelton and Papa Bill

Happy Birthday to Kelton and Papa Bill! 

Kelton and Papa Bill

Happy Birthday Kelton and Papa Bill! Kelton is turning 27 years old

We also want to wish you a very Happy Fourth of July

July Birthdays cover

July is right around the corner and that means that it's time to release our newest July birthday cover.