Bates Family Blog: Bates Updates and Pictures | Gil and Kelly | 19 Kids | Bringing Up Bates | UP TV (2024)

Happy 2nd birthday to Layla Stewart! Layla is Gil and Kelly Bates' 13th grandchild, and Carlin and Evan's second child will be their 20th.

Evan Stewart, Carlin Stewart, infant Layla Stewart

Carlin Stewart and Layla Stewart, October 2021

Photos courtesy of @carlinbates98

Michael Keilen and Finley Paine

Baby Finley Marie Paine is 10 days old. You can bet she is being loved on very well by her four adoring siblings. She has also been able to meet some other family members, including Kelly, also known as Granny, and Aunt Michael. We just love this photo of Finley and Michael.

Photo courtesy of keilencorner.com

Happy 5th birthday to Lexi Mae Webster! Lexi is Alyssa and John Webster's 2nd daughter, and she is Gil and Kelly Bates' 6th grandchild.

Allie Webster, Lexi Webster, Zoey Webster, Maci Webster

October 2021

Gil and Kelly Bates with newborn Lexi Webster

Photos courtesy of @websterforever; thebatesfamily.com

Josie Balka and Kelton Balka

It's time to hit the slopes! The Bates have grown to love downhill skiing (or snowboarding for some), and they enjoy traveling to the mountains out West. Gil and Kelly and a group of their kids, plus spouses and grandchildren, are in Frisco, Colorado, this week. Last year, it was during the ski trip that we first posted about Tiffany. And now, one year later, Lawson and Tiffany are engaged! In case you missed it, we shared their wedding date a few days ago. This year, Trace brought his girlfriend, Lydia, and newlyweds Nathan and Esther joined, as well.

Photo courtesy of @keltonbalka/tnstandard.com

Happy 32nd birthday to Michael Keilen! She and Brandon celebrated six years of marriage in August with a trip to Arizona.

Brandon Keilen and Michael Keilen

August 2021

Michael (Bates) Keilen

Bringing Up Bates Season 3

Photos courtesy of keilencorner.com; UPtv

Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen

Three months after their Italian engagement, Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen have nailed down a wedding date and are ready to announce. They will tie the knot on Thursday, May 12th, in San Diego, California. You will find links to their registries on Lawson's website.

Photo courtesy lawsonbates.com

It is with heavy hearts that we share this news. Seven years after its premiere, Bringing Up Bates has been canceled. In its statement, UPtv shared that it is will be shifting its focus to movies and a new scripted series that has not yet been revealed. You can read the network's statement, as well as quotes from Gil and Kelly Bates, in an article on the Us Weekly website.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Update: Finley has arrived! She weighed 5 lbs 4 oz.

Erin and Chad Paine will soon welcome their fifth child! They are at the hospital awaiting the arrival of Finley Marie Paine. When you think of it, be sure to remember Erin and Finley in your prayers.

It has been quite some time since we have posted an updated picture of Jadon. Zach and Whitney's fourth child is already seven months old! Jadon is the 16th Bates grandchild, and No. 20 will arrive before he turns one year old.

Zach and Whitney Bates sold their house a few months ago and are living with Gil and Kelly as they work on their fixer upper.

Whitney Bates and Jadon Bates

Photo courtesy of @zachnwhitbates

Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen

Lawson just announced that his new album, "American Dream," is set to release on February 24th, 2022. Until then, you can pre-save the album on iTunes and Apple Music, which will give you immediate access to the song "Crazy Love." This song, which Lawson originally wrote for Josie and Kelton's wedding, is now a duet that he sings with Tiffany. The couple traveled to Italy in October to film the music video for "Crazy Love," and also for a surprise proposal. The music video hasn't yet come out.

Photo courtesy of lawsonbates.com

It has been almost seven months since the season 10 finale of Bringing Up Bates aired on UPtv. In September, the network announced the season 11 premiere date. At that point, waiting until February 10th, 2022, felt like an eternity. Well, we are thrilled to say that the wait is almost over. Just one month from today, the Bates will return with new episodes. Mark your calendars for February 10th at 9pm ET/8pm CT, and sit back to watch this beloved, reality TV family.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Chad Paine and Erin Paine

Three months ago, we shared the link to a podcast that Erin Paine had been a guest on. She joined host Brettnay Brazzell on No Higher Calling to share how she saturates her home, marriage, and motherhood with the Word of God. Erin is a guest on another episode of No Higher Calling, which was released today. This time, she chats about her relationship with God and how she makes it her priority.

To listen to the Podcast, search "No Higher Calling" in your podcasts app, or visit the link below.

No Higher Calling Episode 59: A Quiet, Contented Heart with Erin Bates Paine

Photo courtesy of chadanderin.com

Carlin Stewart, Layla Stewart, Evan Stewart

The weather on New Year's Day was unseasonably warm in East Tennessee. The Bates saw temperatures in the mid-70s! But like most of the region, the temperature quickly started dropping, and it began to snow.

Today, they are enjoying the first snow of the year. Layla, who turns two on January 31st, is clearly loving the experience. Carlin is 26 weeks pregnant with Gil and Kelly Bates' 20th grandchild (a boy, in case you missed the Stewarts' announcement). Erin Paine is due with her fifth baby this month, so there should be news to share soon.

Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Happy New Years Day! And happy 57th birthday to the Bates dad! Do you think you would enjoy having a birthday on January 1st?

Kelly Bates, Gil Bates, Nathan Bates

Bringing Up Bates Season 10

Gil and Kelly Bates

Gil and Kelly Bates

Bringing Up Bates Season 6

Gil Bates and Jeb Bates

Bringing Up Bates Season 4

Gil Bates, Elle Bates, Callie Bates, Addallee Bates

Bringing Up Bates Season 3

Photos courtesy of UPtv