Winners of Lawson's New CD

Our giveaway is over, and we have chosen the winners! These five readers will receive a copy of Lawson Bates' newest CD, "What Country Means to Me.'

Sara L.
Blessing Counter
Britt B.
Tiffany H.
Beth L.

Thanks to everyone who entered the raffle. If you didn't win, we encourage you to pick up a copy of the CD. (It would also make a wonderful Christmas gift.) Visit Lawson's website to order a physical copy for $15, or visit iTunes to order the digital version for $9.99.

Giveaway: Lawson Bates' New CD

With less than one week until the release of Lawson Bates' new album, "What Country Means to Me," we have a giveaway for y'all! Lawson dropped by our house last week to give us a handful of CDs to raffle off to our readers.

(Check out our October 27th post to find out how to buy "I'll Love Again," Lawson's single featuring Emily Ann Roberts from The Voice.)

Follow the directions on the widget below to enter to win this giveaway.

Recap: "And Baby Makes Five?"

Bringing Up Bates "And Baby Makes Five?"

• With Brooklyn’s due date just one month away, Erin is struggling with fear. “All that she went through with her pregnancy with Carson and then even with the miscarriages before Carson, she was nervous,” says Kelly. “And it got to the point that she was not eating good or sleeping good. She was very restless.”
• Erin’s labor with Carson was extremely painful, due to her blood clotting condition, so wants an epidural this time around. “If she doesn’t get an epidural with Brookie, I don’t think she’s ever going to have kids again,” jokes Tori. 
• Erin, Chad, and Carson have their weekly Skype chat with Nana and the rest of the Paine family. Then they head to Beech Creek Studios near Nashville, Tennessee, to finish recording Erin’s lullaby CD.
• According to Kelly, Erin's cooking skills used to be nonexistent, but since marrying Chad, she has become a wonderful chef. “She went from not knowing how to do anything to being really good at it now,” says Kelly.
• Erin and Chad have been considering buying a dog for Carson. One afternoon, Erin sits down with Kelly to look at photos of puppies for sale. “After I started looking at pictures of puppies and started thinking about it, I just couldn’t help myself,” says Erin. “So I finally decided, let’s just do this, and I’ll surprise Chad.”
• Erin finds one that she likes, so she and Kelly drive an hour away to see it. She ends up buying it, and Chad is definitely surprised. “Oh honey, we needed a dog, but I think we’re still kind of nuts though,” says Chad. The puppy is covered in fleas, but he's very cute.
• Later, Kelly and the girls deliver a gift basket to Erin. “I told the girls...don’t think about money,” Kelly announces to Gil. “You actually told them that?” laughs Gil, his eyes wide. But he admits he is glad they did that for Erin.
• When Erin’s due date is less than two weeks away, she and Kelly take some of the kids on a zoo outing. Erin especially enjoys seeing the pregnant gorilla. It's hot and humid, so Kelly treats everyone to slushies. 
• “You know when Mom is running the trip or Dad is running the trip,” says Lawson. “Mom goes, and slushies all around, on the house,” adds Zach. “Dad goes, and we bring a jug of water from the house that he filled up in the sink.”
• The night before her delivery, Erin starts having intense contractions, so she and Chad head to the hospital. In addition to Chad and the medical staff, Kelly, Chad’s mom, Katie, and Tori join Erin for the birth. (Katie holds the camera, as the film crew is not allowed in the hospital room.)
• Erin is able to have an epidural, so this birth goes much smoother. Brooklyn’s arrival is a very emotional moment for everyone. Later, 15-month-old Carson is thrilled to finally meet his little sister.

Recap: 'Nashville Nights and Country Campouts'

Bringing Up Bates "Nashville Nights and Country Campouts"

• Lawson, who started a lawn mowing business at age 14, takes Tori and Carlin out to a job site to teach them how to operate the machinery. Lawson is hoping to hand his business over to his siblings so he can spend more time pursuing music.  
• "Basically you realize that Mom and Dad ain't always going to be paying for everything and you've got to do something to have money and be able to do stuff yourself," says Tori. 
• Teaching the girls how to use the weed eater and commercial lawnmower turns out to be a bit stressful, but they catch on rather quickly. "For this being the girls' first time, I think they did very well," says Lawson.
• Back at the Bates house, Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah head up the hill to spend the night in their fort. Kelly provides the food, and Gil, Ellie, Callie, Judson, and Jeb join the boys to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. 
• "As parents, we're over the camping days, but we do it for our kids," says Kelly. 
• "To be up there on top of that hill with all the kids...it was like the perfect end to a great day," says Gil.
• Lawson is invited to perform on one of the many stages at Nashville's CMA Fest, the biggest festival in country music. He has a blast, and the audience loves his music.
• "After getting the gig in Nashville, Lawson was very excited, and he has been talking about doing a tour," says Zach. "I do think he had a little culture shock for a minute, but I think he's really pressing on with it."
• Lawson says his goal in his music career is to speak encouragement into peoples' lives and to stay true to who he is. 

Recap: 'Muddy Buddies'

It's been one of those days... I (Ellie) had the recap all written and ready to post, only to find that a glitch had caused it to be deleted from the site. So I watched the show again and rewrote the recap. I'm grateful for technology, but I suppose we can't always rely on it. :)

Bringing Up Bates "Muddy Buddies"

• The Bates join their friends at Ride Royal Blue ATV Park for a fun-filled day of mudding. Mudding is one of Jackson's top three favorite things about Tennessee (in addition to God and the University of Tennessee Volunteers). Kelly admits that she only recently learned what mudding is. 
• The first part of the trail is gravel, but it quickly turns to mud.
• "I think we made a mistake by putting all of the drama in one vehicle," says Lawson, referring to the four-seater RZR, which is where most of the screams come from. Tori is the driver, and Kelly and Jeb are her passengers.
• Everyone agrees that Nathan is the family's biggest daredevil. He starts doing 360s but quickly runs into trouble, flipping the four-wheeler. Thankfully, he jumps off just in time. "What that tells me is he's experienced!" exclaims Kelly. "He's done it before!"
• "He almost got himself killed," says Judson, matter-of-factly.
• Gil gives Josie, who admits that she isn't the greatest driver, a driving lesson on the RZR. 
• "A lot of country folk around us grow up learning to drive on tractors on the farm," says Zach. "Our kids grow up learning to drive on a 15-passenger van."
• Tori gives Kelly a crazy ride on a four-wheeler. The mom of 19 enjoys herself, but after a few minutes, she says it's time to get off. 
• Everyone has a blast, although they are covered in mud from head to toe by the end. "Our laundry room is scared for y'all to come home," says Kelly. 
• "The best thing for us would be to come home and pressure wash the kids," adds Gil. 
• Later, Michael and Brandon Keilen come for a short visit to meet Kaci Lynn Bates. "Since Michael was four or five years old, she's just been great with kids, and getting to show off Kaci was a special moment of daddy pride for me," says Zach.
• "I think the biggest joy in parenting is sitting back and watching your children interact," says Kelly. "It's just one of those picture-perfect moments that you want to have in your scrapbook..."

Recap: 'Meet Kaci Lynn Bates'

Bringing Up Bates "Meet Kaci Lynn Bates"

• Zach and Whitney are expecting the arrival of Kaci Lynn Bates in the next couple weeks. "We're counting down the days," says Whitney. "I'm always going into her room and looking through her clothes and talking to Bradley about her." 
• The little Bates family of three (soon to be four) heads to a local park to have pictures taken by Taryn Yager, the unofficial Bates photographer. 
• Whitney says this pregnancy has been completely different than her first one. "With Bradley, I was sick all the time up until the day I had him," she shares. "And with Kaci Lynn, I have had so much more energy. Bradley has kept me going. I haven't been sick hardly at all."
• "I can't wait for [Bradley] to meet [Kaci]," says Whitney. 
• Zach looks forward to having two kids who are close in age. He and Michael were even closer in age, and they were inseparable. "Everything we did was the two of us," says Zach. "There's a bond there that nothing can really break. And I'm really looking forward to Bradley and Kaci having that same kind of relationship."
• "Through life, they really have been like best friends," says Gil of Zach and Michaela.
• AJ, Lawson's friend from the children's hospital, comes over to the Bates house with his parents and sister. AJ has multiple brain tumors--some that are inoperable--and has been through more than 40 chemo treatments. 
• Gil, Lawson, and a few of the other Bates guys take AJ and his family fishing under a bridge on Cove Lake. AJ is absolutely ecstatic when he catches his first fish. When asked how much fun he has had with Lawson, he replies, "More than I can even say."
• Whitney takes Bradley to her ultrasound appointment and enjoys pointing out "sissy's face" to her son. Unfortunately, Dr. Vick informs Whitney that Kaci is breech (upside down). He hopes she will flip on her own, but if she doesn't, the options will be to do a c-section or try to spin Kaci from the outside. The Bates resolve to cover the situation in prayer. 
• At their next ultrasound appointment, Zach and Whitney are told that Kaci is still breech. "She's as stubborn as them come," says Zach, chuckling. "Definitely a Bates." At this point, it is much less likely that Kaci will flip on her own.
• Zach and Whitney decorate the nursery in gender neutral colors and choose bedding for Bradley and Kaci. 
• This time, Zach makes sure to pack for the hospital before Whitney goes into labor. "You would think that Zach would be pretty calm about this whole having the baby thing and going to the hospital, since his mom has had so many," says Whitney. "But last time, he was in a panic."
• "Zach was so, I don't want to say comical, but he was so nervous, pour guy," shares Gil.
• Later, the Paines deliver Bradley's new toddler bed, made with love by Uncle Chad. Bradley is absolutely thrilled, as he jumps up on the bed and lays down with a big smile on his face. 
• The moment has finally arrived! Dr. Vick tells Zach and Whitney that it's time to try to flip Kaci and that if the procedure is successful, labor will follow. Lawson comes over to pick up Bradley and take him to stay with Whitney's dad (aka "Pawpaw").
• The next morning, Carlin comes over at 3am to accompany Zach and Whitney to the hospital. "We just prayed that God would work it out however he saw fit, so we just went in there scared to death, hoping for the best," says Whitney.
• At Whitney's request, her mom and Kelly are at the birth, which Kelly says makes her feel very special. 
• Dr. Vick numbs Whitney up and then wheels her into another room to attempt to flip Kaci. Zach is able to go with his wife, but the grandmas have to wait in the delivery room. "Okay baby, we love you," says Kelly as Whitney leaves. "You're in God's hands. God knows what's best, and we're going to be praying for you." Whitney starts crying, as she and Zach are both very nervous. 
• Dr. Vick announces that he will try for about 10 minutes to flip Kaci, and if he is unsuccessful, he will immediately proceed with a c-section. "When I was laying there...all I could do was pray and cry," says Whitney. "It didn't take him but just a second, and he was able to flip her." Everyone rejoices, especially the expectant parents. 
• After a long day of waiting, Kaci finally arrives at 10:32pm. A family member brings Bradley to the hospital so he can meet his sister. 
• "I can't explain the feeling of my wife having a baby, just an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment and excitement," shares Zach. "I wish you could bottle it up and keep it for a rainy day."
• The next morning, all the Bates aunts and uncles arrive, and everyone has to take a picture holding Kaci. 
• "I know one thing, that is a little girl that's got a lot of people that want to be there for her [and] love on her," shares Gil, his eyes welling up with tears.

Recap: 'Three Pointers and Puppies'

Bringing Up Bates "Three Pointers and Puppies"

• Tori, Carlin, and Josie, along with their friend Courtney visit The Crown College of the Bible, located near their home. Josie, who will soon graduate from high school, has already started taking college classes online and is planning to take a few on-campus courses in fall 2016. 
• Tori and Josie try to convince Carlin to study music on campus rather than liberal arts online. Carlin is unsure about being tied down because she enjoys traveling to help with children at various conferences.
• "You said that you wanted to teach piano," Tori reminds her sister. "It's hard to teach piano if you don't have a degree in it," Josie chimes in. Tori is in school for education, and Josie is considering pursuing a cosmetology degree. 
• Gil, Kelly, and most of the kids head up to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to watch the boys participate in New Heights Basketball Camp. 
• When asked if they would ever want to attend a basketball camp, Callie, Ellie, and Addallee's responses are quite entertaining. Callie says no because she "hates sweat." Addalle's answer is the same. "I'd have to take a bath," she says. But Ellie is game for it (no pun intended).
• This the first time that all the boys have played on organized teams. The family enjoys watching the "unconventional" tactics that they have developed over the years. 
• "I don't think anybody will ever see defense like Nathan," says Carlin.
• "I think it was really good for our kids to get to go somewhere where they could have fun playing sports, being challenged by people that can play really, really good," says Kelly. "But more than that, it was a place where the coaches really wanted the boys to work on their character."
• "For the boys in our family, no matter what your personality is sitting on the couch when you're hanging around with the rest of the family, when you get on the court, when you get on the field,  it changes," says Zach. "You're automatically in it for blood."
• Gil and Kelly are especially amazed by Isaiah's performance. He hasn't played a lot of basketball, but he does very well and ends up winning an award.
• Michael and Brandon drive three hours from Chicago to hang out with the family at basketball camp. Michael, who also has first responder and EMT training, has recently finished her associate degree in medical health science. While the Keilens say they are not planning to stay in Chicago forever, they aren't sure what the next step is at this point.
• Warden and Isaiah make it to the finals in their junior varsity league, but they end up losing by two points. 
• "I try to tell the boys...if you know you controlled your attitude, if you gave it 100 percent, then you're a winner in the things that matter," says Gil.
• Back at home, Chad meets Erin, Katie, and Carson at the local animal shelter to look at dogs.
• "We're going to go get a dog!" announces Erin. "I brought a box."
• "You seriously brought a box?" Chad asks, laughing. "Honey, we're just looking for a dog, just looking, not necessarily going to get one. 
• Carson absolutely loves dogs and often walks around the house "woofing" and panting, according to Erin. "It's so cute--why are you laughing?" Erin asks Chad. "I'm laughing because your brothers and sisters taught him how to pant like a dog and woof."

Recap: 'You Can't Spell Paintball Without PAIN'

Bringing Up Bates "You Can't Spell Paintball Without PAIN"

• For the Bates boys, joining Dad and the older guys on a tree job is a big milestone. As Jackson heads to work with Gil and Nathan for the first time, Gil surprises his 14-year-old son with a new pair of work boots. 
• Before allowing Jackson to participate in any tree jobs, Kelly makes it clear that he first must have his schoolwork and chores completed for that day.  "I want them to learn diligence," says the mom of 19.
• It's difficult for Kelly to watch the boys start to work in the family business. "Sometimes I do wish it wasn't such a dangerous job." she shares. "Gil's seeing them as 14; they're a man. I'm seeing them as...14; they're still my baby."
• "Looking back, my dad took time to teach me different things, so we're trying to continue that," says Gil. "I tell them, 'We want you to learn every skill you possibly can before you leave the home...'"
• While they are cutting down trees, Gil, Nathan, and Jackson find three baby bunnies.
• "I know some people say that it's not good to handle bunny rabbits because their mother may reject them, and that's not always the case," explains Nathan. "But, our options are, either leave these little things under the tree or to set them aside and keep them out of harm's way. I don't know a whole lot about bunny rabbits, but I know it's not good for trees to fall on them."
• "I'm proud of Jackson," says Gil, nearly tearing up. "He's so much like Zach. I can look back and see Zach in that little fellow."
• Gil, Kelly, and Callie visit the Paines' house to hear the piano parts of the songs that Erin is planning to record on her upcoming lullaby CD. More on that soon.
• To celebrate his 14th birthday, Jackson plays paintball with Gil, a few of his older brothers, and a few friends. "Well guys, I think it's time to put the 'pain' in paintball," announces Gil. "I hope y'all are all the recipients, and I hope I'm the dealer for this situation."
• "In the Bates family, we try to choose games that are competitive, competitive, and painful," jokes Zach. 
• "Getting older is a great thing and a scary thing," states Jackson at the end of the episode. "You get more privileges...but you also get older, which stinks because you get a lot of responsibilities."

Recap: 'From the Couch--Bates Go To Florida'

Bringing Up Bates "From the Couch: Bates Go To Florida"

• It's Christmastime 2014. As they show opens on Alyssa in her Florida home, Lawson says he couldn't imagine living in such quietude. "I think I'm going to stick around at the loud, noisy house of chaos for a while," he states, although he does plan to eventually get married.
• Alyssa, who used to be the main chef before she moved to Florida, prepares a meal for everyone. Lawson claims that he has lost weight since Alyssa left Tennessee.
• Later, everyone heads to the beach. This is the first time that the youngest kids have seen the ocean. 
• As Carlin, Lawson, and Nathan watch footage of themselves and the rest of the family enjoying the cold water, they comment on the background songs. "I'm telling you, the songs just really bring the mood to the whole atmosphere," says Carlin. 
• The clan also visits the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of Winter, the dolphin that stars in Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Lawson, Carlin, and Katie poke fun at their dad as they watch him try to work out a deal on admission for the family. 
• After picking oranges at an orchard, the Bates take a monster truck ride through a swamp. The film crew captures the adventure with their drone, but sadly, it hits a tree limb and plummets into the swamp. 
• Best quotes from the show:
• Lawson Bates: "That's something that is never going to change, Katie's sass. She's still dishing it out."
• Gil Bates: "We like beaches, and we like people. We just like people to have all of their clothes on at the beaches."
• Gil Bates: "Sometimes life is hard, but you can't give up. You just keep trying with whatever you've got left."
• Carlin: "Me and Tori always talk over each other." Lawson: "Carlin, I think you talk over everybody."

Recap: 'Bates Dish It Out"

Bringing Up Bates "Bates Dish It Out"

• Zach and Chad work together to make a little bed for Bradley. “…The man has never-ending talents,” says Tori of Chad. “He’s amazing.”
• Lawson joins his producer, Andy Leftwich, at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville to continue work on his upcoming album. “I’m always nervous going into the studio,” admits Lawson. “There’s so much going into it. You want to make sure you’re getting what you want out of it.”
• “I think Lawson is seeing his music career really starting to grow,” shares Kelly. “Yes it requires talent…but I think a large majority of it is knowing the right people, being at the right place at the right time.” Stay tuned for details on Lawson's fall tour.
• Emily Ann Roberts, who recently scored second place on The Voice, joins Lawson in the recording studio. The two vocalists give viewers a sneak peek of one of the duets they are performing together. Surprisingly, it's a heartbreak song. 
• Trace: “Why do you do a breakup song when you should be doing a love song or something?”
• Lawson: “Hey, you sing about what’s real to you.”
• Nathan: “All that he’s ever known is breakups, so that’s what’s real to him.”
• “I feel really, really blessed to be a part of this,” shares Emily Ann. “I’m really thankful that Lawson invited me to be on his record. I think it’s going to be incredible.” 
• According to Callie, “Emily Ann has a voice like an angel.”
• Back in East Tennessee, everyone heads out the door to eat lunch at Austin’s Steak and Homestyle Buffet, an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. Gil and Kelly say it has been a while since their family has been to a buffet.
• “The kids going to a buffet is like turning a child loose in a candy store,” explains Gil. “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips."
• Most of the family members eat way too much, but not Tori. “You know what Tori did?” says Carlin. “Tori felt great afterwards ‘cause she walks in the buffet and what does she get at a buffet? A SALAD! So then, she started eating her big salad, so then I felt bad, so I had to get me a salad. So I ate that plus everything else, and so then I really felt bad.” 

The song playing in the background towards the end of the episode is "Bring A Little Joy," performed by Jasmine Ash. 

Recap: 'Growing Paine'

Bringing Up Bates "Growing Paine"

• Kelly, Lawson, and Carlin take Josie and Katie on a secluded road to practice driving. The two girls recently received their driver’s permits and are eager to get behind the wheel. When Gil expresses a little bit of concern, Josie replies: “Dad, I’m like the bomb driver. All they gotta tell me is the gas and brake and I’ve got it.”
• Katie is more confident behind the wheel, but her passengers let out quite a few screams as she drifts into the wrong lane a few times. Josie is much more cautious and takes it slower. Katie and Josie agree that driving is more difficult than it looks. But then again, they are learning on a 15-passenger van...
• Meanwhile, Erin and Chad prepare to host Carson’s first birthday party. Michaella arrives from Chicago to help. Chad’s mom, Tammy, and two of his siblings, Tabitha and Johnny, also come into town for the event.
• Erin and Chad say they are enjoying parenthood: “It really blows my mind that time has gone by so quick, but it’s been so sweet and special," shares Chad. "It’s just a thrill.”
• “These first birthdays are great,” says Gil. “But the problem is…they’re going to get really expensive.” He and Kelly joke that they might have to stop giving birthday presents to their married children so they can afford gifts for the grandbabies.
• Next is the three-legged and four-legged race. After the activities, everyone gathers around Carson’s highchair to watch him eat his cupcake. 
• “It was a fun birthday party,” shares Gil. “I don’t know that Carson’s going to remember it, but it will be one that we never forget.”

Recap: "The 20th Bates"

Bringing Up Bates "The 20th Bates"...

• Did you enter UP’s 20^th Bates contest? After watching a bunch of entry videos, the Bates select 14-year-old Emma Wright from Texas. She and her mom travel to the Knoxville area to spend a day with the Bates family.
• The first item on the agenda is Bible study. Then, it’s time for chores. Kelly lets Emma sample the two most hated chores, dishes and laundry, but the Bates mom lends a hand because she feels bad making Emma help. “My mom’s number one rule [is] new guests are ever allowed to work,” says Tori.
• Later, the Bates let Emma choose a few activities. Emma asks Erin to give her a makeover. Carlin curls Emma’s hair while Erin does her makeup.
• When do the Bates girls start wearing makeup? Kelly says around age 15 or 16. “Just remember, Emma,” Kelly cautions. “This is great and fun, but just remember: You’re beautiful without all this too. You’re beautiful like you were, too.”
• When the girls finish their makeup party, they are surprised to find two horses in the living room! Nathan and Trace take Emma riding.
• At the end of the day, everyone piles into the Bates’ 15-passenger van and heads over to Zach and Whitney’s house for a cookout.
• “They’re so genuine,” says Emma. “The people that they are on TV, that’s how they act in real life.”
• “TV makes us look better than we are, but you’re sweet,” says Carlin.

Recap: "Bates Make the Grade"

Bringing Up Bates "Bates Make the Grade"

• The day before Trace and Carlin Bates’ graduation party, Kelly comes down with a stomach bug and can’t do anything to help prepare. Carlin takes charge, with help from her dad and siblings.
• Carlin made the invitation public, so this is shaping up to be the Bates’ biggest grad party yet. Although they asked people to RSVP via email, the Bates admit that they did not have a chance to count up the guests.
• Erin, Lawson, Tori, and Carlin rehearse a song that they plan to perform at the party (“All Along” by Rebecca J. Peck and Mark Lanier).
• The next day, Carlin directs setup under a pavilion at Mount Moriah Camp. Lots of friends and relatives, including Tori’s boyfriend, come to help. “The party was amazing, but only because Bobby was there,” jokes Tori.
• Ashley also attends the party. “As a mom, I’m just glad that everybody feels comfortable around each other still, in spite of the fact that they have ended that part of their relationship together,” says Kelly. “I’m really encouraged that Ashley and Nathan both have been mature to handle this friendship,” adds Gil.
• Brandon and Michael’s flight is delayed due to weather, but Brandon is able to convince the airline to put his wife on a different flight so she doesn’t miss the party.
• All the guests arrive, and just before Gil kicks off the program, Carlin realizes that she has misplaced her notes. “Dad had no clue what was happening,” says Carlin. “Mom didn’t. Only I knew, and them papers.” She ends up finding them in the van…just in time!
• The program starts with a handful of silly skits performed by the older Bates kids and their friends. Then, Nathan poses a few serious questions to Carlin and Trace. When asked who she aspires to be, Carlin’s answer is her father: “He’s always been faithful in the little things. He’s steady in the Lord. Whatever he does, he doesn’t lose his cool.”
• “She was really dishing out some of the kindest words that I do not deserve, honestly, but that’s one of those moments you just wish you could freeze life,” shares Gil, tearing up.
• What’s next for Trace and Carlin? Trace recently took over Lawson’s lawn care business, and he aspires to be a trick rider at the Dixie Stampede. His parents want him to go to college.
• Carlin, who took dual enrollment classes during high school, is starting full-time college this fall. She will study online for the first two years so she can continue to travel.
• Fans of the show come from all over to attend the Bates’ graduation party. “We definitely felt treasured,” says Carlin.

Recap: "Who's In Charge?"

Bringing Up Bates "Who's In Charge?"

• As the show opens, Lawson and Nathan are in the kitchen cleaning alongside Josie, while the younger kids work on school. Mom and Dad Bates are in Niagara Falls for three days.
• Gil and Kelly enjoy taking trips together. They went to Hawaii in 2013 and the Grand Canyon in 2015. This Niagara Falls trip is Gil’s Valentine’s present to Kelly, who has been dreaming about visiting the natural wonder for many years.
• Soon after Gil and Kelly leave, a stomach bug begins making its way through the family, but everyone still manages to have fun.
• Chad accompanies Erin to her 20-week appointment with Dr. Vick. The expectant parents are relieved to hear that Brooklyn is doing well.
• Erin’s labor with Carson was very quick and traumatic, due to a placental abruption. This time, she plans to be induced so she can have an epidural. Erin jokes that she hopes to have such a relaxing birth that she will be able to eat cheesecake while the baby is born.
• Back at the Bates home, the kids video chat with Gil and Kelly. Later, Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah head over to Zach and Whitney’s house, which has sort of turned into a vacation spot for the kids.
• The three boys spend the evening talking, laughing, and watching movies with their brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. Zach and Whitney have a bigscreen TV, while Gil and Kelly don’t.  
• When Gil and Kelly return home, Gil, Nathan, and Lawson take Ellie and Addallee horseback riding for Ellie’s birthday. The Bates have a ranch where they keep eight horses, some that they purchased and some that they rescued.
• Gil’s horse, Little Joe, has difficulty obeying commands. The kids laugh as their dad tries to keep Little Joe in line.

Recap: "Bloopers, Outtakes, and Mishaps, Oh My!"

Bringing Up Bates "Bloopers, Outtakes, and Mishaps, Oh My!"

• The Bates admit that they are a very loud family, but they don’t always notice it because they are so accustomed to the noise. “...It sounds like a zoo,” says Erin. “It really does.”
• “My family’s house is very loud and very crazy all the time,” shares Alyssa.
• The Bates really enjoy teasing each other. Lawson is often the target. “If you want to tease somebody, it’s usually Lawson,” says Kelly. According to Gil, Lawson is the best talker in the family.
• But even though they like to give each other a hard time, the Bates' teasing is always done in fun.
• The family enjoys laughing together and making memories. They all agree that laughter is contagious. “When Callie starts laughing, she can’t stop,” says Katie.  
• Who laughs the loudest? Definitely Tori. “The neighbors know what she sounds like when she laughs!” remarks Gil.
• During UP interviews, the Bates kids don't always understand the question, which makes for an even funnier response. Take this one, for example: 
• Interviewer: “Is oral hygiene important with your family?”
• Jackson Bates: “What hygiene?”
• Interviewer: “Oral hygiene”
• Jackson Bates: “Nobody here wear high jeans. They all wear ‘em low.”
• What are the Bates' top three favorite words/phrases? “Epic,” “Awkward,” and “oh my stars."

Recap: "The Great Bates Clean-Up"

Bringing Up Bates "The Great Bates Clean-Up"

• “Our house is always needing spring cleaning, even in the middle of winter,” says Gil. He and Kelly call a family meeting to discuss the upcoming deep cleaning project. Kelly’s rule is that the kids have to get rid of everything they haven’t used in the last year.
• Gil and Kelly walk through the back part of the house, where they lived before adding on several years ago. It is currently being used for storage, but they are in the process of fixing it up. One of the rooms will be Gil’s office. “Right now, his office is in the living room, but we’re vetoing that because he keeps too messy of an office to be in the front part of the house,” says Kelly, chuckling.
• The family tries to convince Lawson to pitch some of his many clothes, shoes, and hats, but Lawson isn’t impressed. Trace and Nathan share clothing. They end up getting rid of quite a few things.
• Next up is Mom and Dad’s closet. Kelly tosses out so many clothes that the girls are afraid she won’t have any left. Gil, on the other hand, has a more difficult time purging his section of the closet. “I’m so glad my husband’s not like you,” jokes Erin, who stops by for a visit.
• The family piles all their old clothes and furniture on the porch. Their elderly dog, Johnny, enjoys sleeping on one of the couches before all the junk is hauled away. Gil feels bad about pitching Johnny’s favorite couch, so he gives the dog a comfy camo pillow to sleep on.
• Later, the cameras visit Chad Paine at his workplace, a scrap metal yard. The owner really likes Chad.
• As a hobby, Chad enjoys re-purposing old furniture. He and Erin are hoping to start a business. “Chad is like the bomb at making furniture,” says Callie.
• Back at the Bates house, Kelly is hoping to clean out the shed, which is filled with junk, but Gil says it’s just too big of a job for one day. “Gil is the absolute hardest worker I know, but he likes to work in tree work and things that he enjoys,” says Kelly. “He’s not a project person.”
• To finish off the spring cleaning project, the kids plant flowers in front of the house.

Recap: "The Big Chili"

Bringing Up Bates "The Big Chili"...

• Every year, the local fire department hosts a fundraising event that consists of a chili supper, an auction, and entertainment. The Bates always lend a hand, as a thank you to the fire department for saving Addallee’s life 10 years ago.
• “When Addee was born, I had something called beta strep, and it affects a newborn baby up to, I think like 48-72 hours after they are born, and it can be life-threatening, literally, for them,” Kelly explains.
• Soon after Addallee's birth, her heart and lungs stopped working. Gil began administering CPR, and the Medford Volunteer Fire Department arrived with oxygen eight minutes later and ended up saving Addallee’s life.
• Addee was admitted into intensive care for a week, and during that time, Gil chose the perfect name for his eight daughter. To this day, when Addallee spells her name, she explains that the three sets of double letters symbolize the second chance at life that God gave her. Gil tears up as he recalls this.
• The situation with Addallee inspired Zach, Michael, and Nathan to join the volunteer fire department. “For me, that was never an option, just ‘cause I can’t stand blood,” laughs Erin.
• The married Bates arrive to help out with the event. Lawson seeks fashion advice from Alyssa, Carlin, and Josie, as he plans his wardrobe for his musical performance at the chili supper. The girls freak out when Lawson jokingly tries on a bright red shirt with wolves on it. “It’s a good thing he got some advice,” chuckles Nathan.
• According to Gil, Lawson always has that “cool guy look about him.”
• Kelly asks expert seamstress Michael to take in the waists of a few skirts. Michael notices that two of the skirts have adjustable waistbands and shows them to her mom. “I feel really dumb when you’re around,” says Kelly, smiling.
• The event goes off without a hitch. Before Lawson’s performance, the entire family joins him on stage to sing. Gil explains why the Bates are so grateful for the volunteer fire department.  

Recap: "Tough Decisions & Large Ambitions

Bringing Up Bates "Tough Decisions & Large Ambitions"

• Chad, Erin, and Carson join Zach, Whitney, and Bradley for dinner. They enjoy talking about their little boys and their soon-to-arrive baby girls. Bradley loves giving cousin Carson hugs and kisses.
• Back at the Bates house, a somber Nathan knocks on his parents’ bedroom door for some “large talk.”
• “Ashley, she’s one of the best girls that I’ve ever met,” says Nathan. “Neither one of us have anything about the other one that we look at and don’t like, but we’ve come to the decision that we’re going to separate.” He and Ashley will still be friends and talk as much as they can, but they will no longer be a couple.
• Gil asks if their relationship is “on hold.” Nathan clarifies: He and Ashley broke up, but the decision was mutual and was on good terms.
• “Our main goal has been to try to pray about it and find out what God’s will is for us,” says Nathan.
• Nathan tears up as his parents give him a big hug. “It’s life,” he says, smiling through the tears.
• In Nashville, Tennessee, Lawson meets with an agent name Charles Dorris to discuss his budding music career and the tour he is planning for fall.
• “I think the future for Lawson is pretty bright,” says Charles. “Though there’s a lot of steps between where he is now and major stardom as a music artist, I think he’s on the right path.”
• The Bates heat their home with a wood stove, and their water comes from a spring. Since Gil is in the tree business, firewood is free. Three weeks after his surgery, he joins the boys outside to split some wood. “Hey, Dad, the ‘70s is calling; they lookin’ for their glasses,” jokes Jackson when he sees his father’s old school protective glasses.
• In the midst of the chaos of nearly a dozen guys chopping firewood, Gil accidentally runs over the front tire of Judson’s new bike with his truck. “Judson was probably as crushed as his bike was,” says Lawson. Thankfully, Gil is able to fix it.  

Recap: Sunshine State Bates

Bringing Up Bates "Sunshine State Bates"

• Kelly and Erin stop by Zach and Whitney’s house to see their latest renovations. Whitney explains that the next project is to turn the nursery into a bedroom that can accommodate both Bradley and Kaci. Kelly and Erin share their ideas.
• Down in Florida, Alyssa and John give viewers an update on their lives. They start by sharing that they are not pregnant. “Since Whitney announced that she was having Kaci, everybody has been asking me, ‘Are you pregnant yet? When are you going to be pregnant? When are you going to tell us?’” says Alyssa.
• The mom of one says she is content with where she is at now. “No rush, no rush, at all no rush,” she states, laughing.
• According to Alyssa, she and John are spoiled to have such an easy baby. Allie began sleeping through the night at one week old, and on the rare occasion that she wakes up, she always takes a bottle and goes right back to sleep. 
• How many kids do the Bates think John and Alyssa will have?
• Chad: 6-8
• Jackson: 2-4
• Callie: 3-4
• Isaiah and Addallee: 10
• Gil and Kelly: 8-11

• John works 8-5, Monday thru Friday, in his family’s heating and air conditioning company. To supplement their income, John and Alyssa have a cleaning business that the operate in the evenings. They currently clean an ice cream shop and a dance studio, while Allie watches from her playpen. Coming from a large family, Alyssa says she is used to spending a lot of time cleaning.
• Every week, John, Alyssa, and Allie spend an evening with John’s family. The men play softball or basketball in an organize league while the ladies chat and cheer them on. John’s siblings present at this week’s softball game are Jordan, Brent, David, and Tori. His parents, Congressman Daniel Webster and Sandy, also attend. Olivia is Jordan’s wife, and Regina is Brent’s wife.
• “Our family is always getting together around music or food mostly,” says Lawson. “And the Webster family, I think sports really brings them together.”
• The Bates also enjoy sports, but the kids say there is a big difference. “The Websters play organized sports,” states Zach. “In our family, we don’t do anything organized.” 
• “We play chaos sports,” adds Kelly. Gil shares an example: tackle basketball.
• Back in Tennessee, Lawson heads over to the children’s hospital to surprise his friend AJ at his end-of-treatment party. AJ is a young cancer patient who has been through 41 chemo treatments and is not yet in remission.
• Lawson brings his guitar and sings “Amazing Grace” with AJ, who is always thrilled to spend time with his buddy Lawson.
• Later, Gil and the boys finally finish the tree house fort. Gabe, a family-friend who builds buildings for a living, lends a hand. The girls put on old clothes and paint the metal roof pieces, while the guys give them a hard time for allowing the wind to blow leaves onto the paint. Carlin's response? "Well hello obvious!" The gals say they can see the leaves sticking to the paint but that they can't help it because they can't control the wind.
• Kelly jokes that the boys are so proud of their work that they might decide to move into the finished fort. “After seeing their room, we might let them,” says Gil, chuckling.

Recap: "A LOVEly Day"

Bringing Up Bates "A LOVEly Day"...

• "As the family grows, its harder and harder to get everyone together, but the whole family will be coming home to celebrate “I Love You Day," and we’re excited about seeing everyone and being together” says Gil.
• It’s Ashley’s first visit to the Bates home since she and Nathan started courting. Gil and Kelly take the couple out to eat. Nathan and Ashley take the opportunity to speak to Gil and Kelly about concerns with their relationship. “Over time it is clear that there are some opposites in personality, and I think at first we kind of overlooked it, and although I am confident in Nathan and I love him, these differences have concerned both of us I think” says Ashley, “We want to act appropriately, and we don’t want to just make a decision based on our emotions because it’s for life.”
• Kelly and Gil encourage the couple and let them know that communication is key. “The courtship goal is to keep the physical and other parts on a check so you can really get to the deeper issues that relationships are really built on”, states Gil.
• Tori has her eye on Bobby, a fellow who attends college in Florida. He is joining the Bates for Valentine’s Day. “I kind of felt sorry for Bobby, coming into this blindly, especially since he has two sisters and there’s like 20 of us," says Tori.
• Alyssa, John, and baby Allie arrive from Florida, and Michaella and Brandon are in from Chicago. “I like being here and being married," states Michaella. "It’s better than being here and being single." Grandma and Grandpa Bates join the group, as well.
• This year for Valentine’s Day the guys are cooking for the gals. “This is Sunday dress, so everybody put on your best," announces Kelly. "We’re going to have a lots of games; it’s going to be fun.  Oh It’s going to be sweet."
• The kids draw names and exchange gifts with their siblings to help them connect which each other.
• Erin and Chad come up with a unique way to let their family in on a secret.  They add a new name to Kelly’s handmade grandbaby quilt...Brooklyn. They are expecting a girl!
• After a delicious Valentine’s dinner served by the males, the ladies of the family are serenaded with original Valentine’s songs.
• “This, I Love You Day has topped every I Love You Day in the past," declares Nathan. "I can’t wait ‘til next year."

Recap: "Bates Boys Birthday Bash"

Bringing Up Bates "Bates Boys Birthday Bash"...

• Jeb and Trace have a special bond. They were born on the same day 15 years apart. “Jeb was
  born on my birthday," says Trace. "I prayed for it, and he came a little bit early, and that
  was awesome."
• Trace plans a birthday party for himself with the older boys. Jeb assumes that the party is for
  the both of them and starts planning the event. Trace is totally okay with that. “Jeb thinks it’s his party," Trace says. "So it’s going to be his party and mine now. It’s going to be really special and fun for him.”
• On the day of the party, all the guys go go-kart racing. No girls allowed, per Jeb’s rules. Jeb rides with Gil, but the ride is a little too fast for him, and he states that he is "never going again." But it doesn’t take long, and Jeb is cruising again with his best buddy Trace.
• The party continues at Zach’s house. Warden makes a delicious pink cake with white icing (also Jeb’s request). Warden is learning the art of cooking from Erin.
• Erin and Chad attend an all-girls Valentine’s banquet to help an American Heritage girl scout named Micah earn her Stars and Stripes award. Micah begins the banquet by saying, “No girl should be depressed on Valentine's Day. I think we all should be just celebrating God’s love for us and really enjoying fun together. We do not need a guy to be happy, especially when we have a God that loves us more than any human is possibly capable of."
• Erin is nervous about speaking: “It’s funny, if I was playing the piano, I would be comfortable
  playing in front of 10,000 people, but when you say I am going to say something, I get scared to death. I really do.
• Erin speaks to the girls about finding contentment in who you are. Find a cause, encourage
  somebody, and you will be the benefactor. 
• Chad shares with the girls that he was drawn to Erin because of her heart for people.
• Erin and Chad say they went to the Valentine's banquet for the purpose of encouraging the young girls, but Erin says that she and Chad "were the ones that really left encouraged that evening."

Recap: "Big Family, Big Changes"

Bringing Up Bates Season 4 Premiere, "Big Family, Big Changes"

• “It makes you real nervous, with everybody growing and moving and shaking,” says Gil,  as he and Kelly discuss the changes that are happening in the Bates family.
• Gil is preparing for surgery to correct his diverticulitis, a problem with the intestines that causes pockets to form.
• Before his surgery, Gil helps the boys fix up the swing set fort, but the father of 19 ends up at an urgent care facility when he slides down a 2 by 4 and gets a huge splinter lodged in his arm. 
• "I knew he was in a lot of pain because Gil doesn't deal with pain really well. He gets a little moody when he's in pain,” says Kelly Bates. 
• "I’m allergic to two things,” jokes Gil. “Paying and pain, and I’m afraid that that day, I got to do both.” 
• Lawson heads to Nashville, Tennessee, to work with producer/writer Matt Rovey and singer/songwriter Jason Wyatt. He is planning a small tour for this fall, during which he will perform in a number of cities, predominately in the Southeast. 
• The Bates kids, who think of their dad as “invincible,” are sad to see him have to endure major surgery. “He’s always been the biggest kid in the family,” says Zach. 
• While Gil is recovering, Nathan, Gil's right-hand man, along with Lawson and Trace, head out to do a tree job for Bates Tree Service.
• Gil says he could climb trees until at least age 65, but Kelly doesn’t agree. “He’s in denial,” she says, laughing. 
• While Gil and Kelly are away at the hospital, Carlin, Tori, and Josie help the little kids make cards for Dad. 
• Whitney shares an update on her pregnancy, which she says has been "awesome." “I’ve actually been able to go several days without getting sick and not having to take any medicine,” says the expectant mother. “I’m still pretty tired, but other than that, it’s really been good.” 
• Zach and Whitney stop by the house to announce the name they have chosen for their baby girl: Kaci Lynn Bates. Her first name is in honor of Kelly, as it starts with a “K” and sounds similar. Whitney’s mom’s name is Lynn. 
• Later, the kids FaceTime with Gil, who is on strong medications while recovering at the hospital. “He sounded like a very sick frog,” says Ellie. 
• Although he is still in great pain, Gil says that coming home to his family jump-started his recovery. 
• A short while later, East Tennessee receives a big dump of snow, and the kids head outside to go sledding. Gil, who is still on the road to recovery, has to sit this one out.
• For those who are wondering, the song playing in the background towards the end of the episode is "Give Me Some Love," written by Jesse Epstein and David Choi. 

Recap: Bates Mother's Day Special

On last night's Bringing up Bates Mother's Day Special...

• Gil and Kelly describe each of their 19 kids:
• Zach: Teacher, researcher, studier
• Michaella: Heart of gold
• Erin: Organized, perfectionist
• Lawson: Police force of the family
• Nathan: Everyone’s best friend
• Alyssa: Keeps the family running smoothly
• Tori: Ball of energy
• Trace: Mr. Competitive
• Carlin: Expressive, Dynamic
• Josie: Quiet but caring
• Katie: Spunky
• Jackson: Always thinking
• Warden: Hyper, energetic
• Isaiah: Mr. Tender Heart
• Addallee: Thinks of everybody else before herself
• Ellie: Miss Smiley
• Callie: Little Miss Sassy, thinks she’s the boss of the family and doesn’t minds saying so
• Judson: Cuddly, loving
• Jeb: Full-blast!

• “One of our main priorities is to become best friends with our children,” says Kelly. The mom of 19 recaps her favorite one-on-one interactions with each kid, including working out with Tori and shopping for clothes with Trace.
• Lawson says that relationships are very important to the Bates family.
• According to Michaella, Gil and Kelly gave up their hobbies when they started having children. Now, their kids are their hobbies.
• Did you know that Kelly majored in human services and minored in special education? She says her college education helped prepare her to be a homeschool mom.
• Kelly looks back on the moments when she and Gil found out they were expecting each of their grandchildren. 
• Kelly says she worries about her kids and that she hates to see them in pain. Her greatest fear is heights. When Isaiah was little, he fell several stories when the railings on a balcony at the beach gave way. Miraculously, he survived, but Kelly is still very concerned about heights.
• Gil and Kelly agree that the transition from parents to grandparents has been wonderful, but they are also sad that their days of having little babies of their own are over. 

Season 4 of Bringing Up Bates premieres Thursday, June 2nd!

Recap: "The Big Apple of Nathan's Eye"

Bringing Up Bates "The Big Apple of Nathan's Eye"

• Nathan is planning to surprise his girlfriend, Ashley, in New York City and ask her to begin an official courtship. For the Bates family, “courtship” means “going steady.”
• “The main goal for us in courtship is the desire to stay pure in the relationship,” shares Kelly. According to Gil, courtship is not a guarantee that the couple is going to marry, but if the relationship does not end at the altar, the two will part as friends.
• Lawson helps Nathan pick out a courtship gift. “If Ashley is going to kind of fit into our culture, she needs to get her a pair of cowboy boots,” explains Nathan. His three youngest sisters are not impressed by his gift. Nathan ends up purchasing a pair of earrings to go with the boots.
• Lawson doesn’t agree with Nathan’s decision to pack Western attire for his trip to New York City. “I’m proud of where I’m from, but sometimes you’ve got to adapt to the environment,” says Lawson.
• Nathan had originally planned to go to NYC alone but ended up inviting his mom to come. Before he knew it, Gil, Lawson, and Erin (along with Carson) had expressed a desire to tag along.
• Nathan is a bit concerned that Ashley will think he is proposing.
• The Bates show up at Ashley Salyer’s apartment in the Bronx. The Salyers are a homeschool family with seven children. Ashley’s father, Tim, works in the probation system, and her mother, Ana Maria, runs an in-home daycare.
• They have one hour to decorate the apartment with streamers, balloons, and posters before Ashley returns home. Erin draws a picture of two ducks (labeled Nathan and Ashley) kissing. Nathan hangs it front and center, but Gil has a different suggestion: “We’re going to put that one on the back burner.”
• When Ashley walks in, she is overjoyed to see Nathan. The two embrace in a big hug. Ashley admits that she had suspected that something was up, but she hadn't expected such a big ordeal.
• The next morning, Ashley and a few of her siblings take the Bates on a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty. They visit China Town, where Erin and Ashley try their hand at making noodles, and then end the day at 10Below Ice Cream.
• On the second day of the trip, Nathan takes Ashley on a carriage ride through Central Park. “For some reason, they didn’t want me to go along and enjoy that moment with them,” laments Lawson.
• Kelly explains that in a big city, there are plenty of eyes on you at all times. For that reason, the couple does not take a chaperone along.
• The next stop is the outdoor ice rink at Bryant Park. While Nathan and Ashley are skating, Lawson sets the gift bag in the center of the rink.
• “I’ve had a great time hanging out this week, and I love you a lot, and I thought we’d get you something to help you fit in with our culture a little bit,” Nathan tells Ashley. He has to get down on one knee to pick the bag up and is afraid she will think he is proposing. When he pulls out the earring box, he makes sure to tell her that it’s not a ring.
• “We’d like to start courting, if you’re okay with that,” says Nathan. “Of course I’m okay with that!” responds Ashley.
• Nathan unveils one final surprise, as he informs Ashley that he has purchased a ticket for her to return to Tennessee to celebrate Christmas. Ashley is elated!
• Back at the Bates home, it’s time for the annual Christmas party. Michael, Brandon, Alyssa, John, and Allie make a surprise visit. Nathan and Ashley tell their courtship story. 
• Zach and Whitney hand Kelly a box filled with either pink or blue balloons. When she opens it, everyone is thrilled to find out that Bates grandbaby #4 is a girl!

Recap: "Love is in the Heir"

Bringing Up Bates "Love is in the Heir"

• Nathan, Jackson, and Warden return from spending Thanksgiving with Nathan’s girlfriend Ashley, who is from the Bronx. Because of the distance between them, Nathan and Ashley are not able to see each other very often, so they decide to spend the holiday visiting family and friends together. 
• Nathan invites his parents on a lunch date at a local BBQ joint to have some “large talk,” which means he has a very important matter to discuss.
• Nathan shares that he has talked with Ashley and her parents and that he feels the Lord’s guidance in their relationship. He plans to ask Ashley to begin an official courtship, although the two have been boyfriend and girlfriend for several months.
• “For our family, courtship is kind of like what other people would call going steady,” explains Kelly.  While Ashley loves New York City, she has said that she would be happy living in East Tennessee. Nathan admits that he would not want to move to the Bronx.
• That evening, everyone helps decorate the house for Christmas. Kelly and the girls decide to go with a more rustic, country theme, so Gil brings a rusted metal lampstand in from the barn. Using greenery and lanterns, the gals are able to turn it into a festive decoration.
• Nathan calls a family meeting and announces his plan to ask Ashley to begin a courtship just before Christmas. His siblings are ecstatic. “I do have some opposition, but that’s just for selfish reasons,” shares Lawson. “We’ve been free men forever, and I know how this thing goes…I’m going to be the lone survivor here at the house.”
• “[Lawson] told me that he’s read some studies that show that once a guy gets a girl, his career goes downhill,” says Kelly, laughing.
• Zach and Whitney head to Dr. Vick’s office to have their first ultrasound with Baby #2. At 1.5 inches long, Baby is very active, unlike Bradley, who, according to Zach, was lazy while in the womb.
• Whitney elects to do a blood test to find out the gender, as it is still too early to tell on the ultrasound. She guesses that the baby is a girl, and, as we know, she is correct!
• The kids prepare a special meal for Gil and Kelly in honor of their 28^th wedding anniversary. They set up a small table in the master bedroom and serve salad with strawberries, blue cheese, and walnuts; rolled chicken breasts with ham and cheese in the middle; fries; and green beans.
• “My mom and dad’s marriage is very important to us because you don’t see many marriages that are that well off,” says Isaiah.
• According to Kelly, having the kids involved in their anniversary made it more meaningful than it would have been if they had gone out to celebrate. 

Recap: Bringing Up Bradley

Bringing Up Bates "Bringing Up Bradley"

• Kelly and Carlin visit Once Upon A Child to shop for birthday presents for Bradley. Kelly goes all out, and Carlin tries to convince her to take it down a notch or two. “He don’t need no more toys,” Carlin tells her mom. “Y’all spoil him.”
• The rest of the kids agree. Now that Kelly is a grandmother, Zach says she is in “full spoil mode.” “We all wish we were grandkids,” adds Josie.
• Looking back on the shopping trip, which was more of a shopping spree, Kelly admits that she may have gone overboard. “When I got to the register and heard the total, I thought, Gil is going to absolutely die when he hears how much I spent!” admits the mom of 19. The tab is $176.97.
• Later, Carlin accompanies Lawson to a photo shoot for his upcoming album, to be released this spring (if everything goes according to plan). Taryn Yager, a friend who has become the unofficial Bates family photographer, takes the pictures inside her in-home studio.
• It takes a little while for Lawson to loosen up, but by the end of the photo shoot, he’s posing like a pro. Taryn’s pictures turn out great!
• Lawson hopes to do a tour for this album. Since fall 2013, he has released one CD and two singles.
• The Bates family heads over to Cove Lake State Park, which is where Zach and Whitney began their courtship, for Bradley’s first birthday celebration.  Whitney goes all out with decorations, arriving five hours early to set up.
• “I found out real quick in this family, you don’t let them know what your skill is because you’ll be recruited to do that from then on for all the events,” says Whitney, smiling. Until now, she has kept her decorating expertise a secret.
• For the younger kids, the highlight of the party is kicking plastic balls filled with ice cream around the room. If you have ever seen a hamster ball, they look similar to one of those. All you do is load ice and a few other ingredients into the ball and then kick it around until it turns into ice cream.
• Surprisingly, the ice cream balls work! “Best thing ever!” says Judson.
• The gift table is quite overwhelming. During the party, Chad looks at Erin and says: “Erin, we can’t do this for Carson. We wouldn’t have a place to put it.”
• Towards the end of the party, Zach and Whitney invite both sets of their parents, as well as Zach’s grandparents, up to the front of the room and give them each two wrapped frames, containing two pictures from their maternity photo shoot.
• Gil and Kelly don’t have their reading glasses on, so it takes them a few moments to realize what’s going on. Everyone starts screaming when the announcement is finally made that Zach and Whitney are expecting baby No. 2.

Recap: "Time to Reno-Bate"

Bringing Up Bates "Time to Reno-Bate!"

• Now that three of the ten Bates girls have left the nest, the remaining seven sisters decide to give their bedroom a makeover. The room had previously been decorated with all of Michael's pictures and love letters from Brandon. 
• "We are definitely going to make some rules about boyfriends being on the wall," says Josie. "My rule is that they can have one picture by their bed."
• "The problem with trying to come up with a plan or idea in our family is that there's so many opinions," says Tori, as she and her sister sit down with Kelly to make a plan.
• Josie chooses a dark gray shade for the walls and is able to convince a few of her sisters to support her. Tori and Kelly, on the other hand, are a little skeptical, even after the girls paint the room.
• Josie, the head interior designer, assures them that the curtains and decorations will tone it down. She's right! When the room is finished, everyone loves it. Kelly says the girls did a great job combining what she calls an "urban" wall color with rustic, colorful decorations.
• While the girls are in the middle of their redecorating project, Lawson and Nathan return home from a trip to New York to visit Nathan's friend Ashley, whom viewers met last year on "Blessings...And New Beginnings?" Ashely comes back with the boys to spend a week with the Bates. 
• Nathan and Ashley having been getting to know each other for the past several months. "Something's up, I think," says Trace.
• Meanwhile, Zach and Whitney work on a redecorating project of their own. They are at the tail end of modernizing their house, a process which has included knocking down walls, repainting, and installing trim. 
• Whitney has decided that their pure white couches no longer match with their white walls and black picture frames. She and Zach head to a furniture store to pick out a brand new black leather couch and love seat.
• When the couch and love seat are delivered, Zach and Whitney are both very pleased. "I love it," says Whitney. "It just makes the whole room feel like it's finished."
• Later, Tori, Carlin, and Kelly try out a new recipe, honey-mustard chicken. (Tori is currently on break from college, where she is pursuing an education major.) Now that Michael is gone, Tori and Carlin say they are spending more time cooking.

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Recap: Back Seat Bates

Bringing Up Bates "Back Seat Bates"

• Chad shows Erin the design he has created for the cover of her upcoming Christmas album, which she recently recorded in Nashville.
• The Paines reveal that this is not the first album cover that Chad has designed for Erin. Before they were "together,' Erin enlisted Chad's help in designing her Down Home Gospel CD cover, but she was secretly just looking for an excuse to spend time with him.
• "I jumped at the chance," admits Chad. "I saw an opportunity, and I was like, you know what, I've never done this before but I'm going to find out how."
• After finishing his training at that Blount County Regional Training Academy, Zach asks his instructors if he can bring his family back to give them a taste of what he went through. 
• The first item on the agenda is pursuit driving. Everyone grabs a helmet and piles into old Sheriffs cars. "They don't know what they in for," laughs Zach.
•  Carlin screams the entire time, as do many of the others. 
• " It was better than any roller coaster in the country," says Lawson. "These guys can drive."
•  Callie is quite upset to see her mom take part, as she's afraid that something is going to happen to her. Zach, the driver, promises to be careful. 
• "I should have gone to the bathroom first," comments Kelly. "Mom, please don't say that," responds Lawson. 
• Kelly reveals that one of her greatest fears is car wrecks. "I've got a house full of bad drivers," says the mom of 19. "I've got certain kids I won't even drive with."
• Kelly holds Whitney's arm and screams for Zach to let her out, but Zach keeps driving, laughing hysterically. "It's too bad he's too big to spank," says Kelly at the end of the ride.
•  The next activity, for the older ones, is target shooting, but first the instructor lectures them about gun safety.  
• Next, Zach leads the guys through an obstacle course, which leaves Gil on the ground trying to catch his breath. "My dad's probably the toughest 50-year-old I know," says Zach. "But man, it pushes you to your physical limit."
•  A day at the Police Academy leaves the Bates feeling very appreciative of their law enforcement officers and the instructors who train those man and women.
• Later, Lawson takes Kelly, Carlin, and Josie to the local children's hospital where he has been visiting sick kids. 
• The child who is most excited to see Lawson is AJ, a little boy with a tumor pressing on his optic nerve who has become a close friend of Lawson.
• Everyone fights back tears as Lawson plays guitar and sings with AJ and several other young children at the hospital. 
• "We've tried to encourage all of our children to be involved in some kind of ministry outreach that would be a blessing to other people," says Kelly.