Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Valentine's Day with the Bates

Over the weekend, Gil and Kelly Bates and their 19 children, four in-laws, and three (soon to be four) grandkids gathered in Tennessee to celebrate Valentine's Day.

February 14th is a special holiday for the Bates family. Newlyweds Michaela and Brandon Keilen traveled all the way from Chicago, Illinois, while the Websters--John, Alyssa, and Allie-Jane--made the trek to The Volunteer State from their home near Orlando, Florida.

(Click here to read more about the super-sized family's annual "I Love You Day" festivities.) Here are a few snapshots from their banquet:

 Carlin Bates and Alyssa (Bates) Webster

 Michaela (Bates) Keilen and Brandon Keilen

 Michael and Brandon

 Lawson Bates and niece Allie-Jane Webster

 Alyssa (Bates) Webster and John Webster

 Alyssa and John

 Zach Bates, Whitney Bates, and Bradley Bates

Erin (Bates) Paine and Chad Paine


Photos courtesy of the Bates family

55 comments:

  1. It's snowing,but that's not gonna stop her from showing those shoulders...

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    1. So what?
      I bet they were outside for just a minute to take pictures.
      I like Alyssa's stile, she's more modern and has personality.

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    2. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman showing her shoulders (I mean come on seriously what could possibly be controversial about a shoulder?!?!?). There is something wrong with expecting someone to abide by your convictions and then judging them because they don't follow your extra-Biblical rules.

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    3. I am gathering you don't like her showing her shoulders? Why? She is a stunningly beautiful young woman embracing her husband on St Valentine's Day. That is a gift to be cherished not chastised.

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    4. Its warm inside the house, the celebration wanst held outside, its just a 3 min picture

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    5. What exactly does that have to do with anything?

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    6. It wasn't in Alyssa's pictures.

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    7. What is wrong with her showing her shoulders? She looks amazing and is still dressed modestly.

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    8. If she wants to show her shoulder that is up to her.....I personally think she looks adorable

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    9. All of them looks like they are going to Prom.

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    10. It's a common belief among those promoting the modesty this family does to not show the shoulders. That's why it was noted above. You won't find a picture of the Duggar girls in sleeveless shirts. Just not the norm for families who hold to dresses only for girls.

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    11. Clearly the Gates have a more modern style than the Duggars. Not just the girls, the boys too!

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    12. It's not about showing her sholders it's about respecting your family and the way your siblings are still being raised. Just because you have chosen to live differently doesn't mean you have to rub it in everyone's face... The younger ones are still impressionable. Would you have dinner with a bunch of nuns and ware a bikini?

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    13. They are both (the Bates and the Duggars) very modern and at the same time still modest. And I think Alyssa is gorgeous and she still looks modest. She is very beautiful and even more so in her dress. Savona

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    14. Wearing a sleeveless gown is obviously not the same as wearing a bikini. Impressionable because they see their sister's shoulder??!!
      I have no words to describe how absurd this sounds...

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    15. I remember Kelly once.saying that she raised her children with Christian bible principles and when they were on their own then they would be making and living by their own standards. Each of her married children have made her proud. They are good Kids. Some are raising their children to watch some tv. So what. Some may not have as large of a family as their mother. So what. Alyssa is doing nothing wrong. Her gown is still modest. She is a good wife and mother and that is all that.really matters. She lives by the biblical teachings she was raised in. She has very devout in laws. She has a great guy.

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  2. I love you day is a great bates tradition. Hope it becomes one of the bringing up bates episodes.

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  3. You're concerned about her showing her shoulders? Really--or is that a joke??

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  4. Why didn't they cover Allie's legs before taking her outside? She's used to the warmer weather in Florida so that can quickly make her sick

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    1. How about not criticizing their every move?

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    2. A small child like Allie Jane definitely needs to be covered. It snowed that day and when it snows its usually in the 30's. Once my brother didn't wear socks and got frostbite. Its very important to stay warm. That's all that person was saying.

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    3. You don't get frostbite in 3 minutes in 30 degree weather. Crisp, fresh air is healthy. She's fine.

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    4. Yes you could! Especially with wind chill. And especially as young as she is. If it took two seconds then she's fine but photo shoots can take awhile to get a good picture.

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  5. Wow Carlin and Alyssa look beautiful in that picture. I bet the family loved seeing Alyssa and Michaella.

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  6. love this family. they dress nice have great spouses and those babies, wow

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  7. What a beautiful family! :)

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  8. I think Erin and Michaela are wonderful role models for their younger siblings ! I appreciate their beliefs and convictions !

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  9. Lily and Ellie,

    I'd love to see a post describing what each of the adult Bates children and their spouses do for a living! Thank you!

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  10. You all look great!!

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  11. Lawson is adorable!

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  12. I love Carlin & Alyssa dresses they are beautiful. Love the other pictures too.
    They must have had a Snowy Valentines Day too just like Illinois did.

    Lawson with he's niece Allie Jane is cute.

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  13. Everyone looks so nice and formal! I hope we get to see their festivities on UP!

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  14. Anonymous- really?
    Beautiful celebration Bates family. So glad it could be shared.

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  15. I do have one question for the Bates, and maybe you can ask them. How do they do name drawing now they have in- loves and Grandkids? Just as if they all were their kids? Would like to know how they handle that aspect.

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  16. That is a very rude thing to say, what she wears has absolutely nothing to do with you.

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  17. The girls are beautiful. All of the couples look very happy and satisfied with their lives.

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  18. Everyone looks lovely and loving.
    Kim

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  19. I have noticed a trend in certain denominations re-naming Valentine's Day to "love day or I love you day?" Is this so its not associated with Catholics and St Valentine? Just curious. All look great by the way!

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    1. I think it's because they don't want to participate to the most consumeristic side of it, but instead take the occasion to celebrate real love.
      I don't think it has anything to do with religions and I don't think religions should be in competition either! Let's all just try to find the common ground, not reasons and ways to divide. ;)

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    2. Then call it what it is... St Valentine's Day. No need to re-name it which itself comes across as divisive. St Valentine gave his life as as a martyr to perform Christian marriage. No consumerism in that.

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    3. Yeah, but Valentine's day nowadays is "a brand": there's Vday's make up, Vday's dinners, Vday's getaways, Vday's presents.. like it or not it has become a very consumeristic occasion. I just think the Bates mean it like: we don't want to spend so much money on useless stuff, but we do want to have a great lunch getting together and celebrating love. Love as a family, love as sentimental love...
      Plus, every family has their own traditions and likes to give particular names to things occasionally, so I don't see why you're so upset about it.

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    4. Oh please... people still call it "Christmas" without buying into all the consumerism. I think they call it that because they don't want to celebrate a Catholic. My opinion.

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  20. You all look so precious. What a very unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Alyssa long time no see and you, Allie-Jane and John look wonderful I missed you. God you all.

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  21. I just love this sweet family! Thanks for sharing your pictures!

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  22. Sweet family tradition ! Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not boast and it is not proud. This family is precious and the children have been taught these values. I hope each one of their lives reflect what has been instilled in them as young children. We all should reflect on this verse and apply it to our lives.

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  23. Just a question, do the Bates family ever watch I Am Second? I just saw the Robertson (Duck Dynasty) one, and it was really great! Really inspirational towards God!

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  24. Everyone looks great! Alyssa has totally lost the baby weight and more!

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  25. The Bates family is gorgeous.

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  26. Everyone looks good and I do love the picture of Michael and Brandon in the snow - its looks very nice.

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  27. Erin, Whitney and Michaela are so sweet and their inner beauty shines through! All 3 are gorgeous on the outside as well ! I love how their focus is on the LORD, love for others and how much they love their husbands and children! Even though they are beautiful they don't try to make others feel as though they are less. Their attitudes are humble and not self serving. I know the younger girls look up to them ! Virtue is a blessing!

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  28. The Bates girls are all so lovely. They are dressed beautifully for their special day of February 14th. Kelly and Gil seem like very loving and involved parents. Its obvious that the entire family loves each other and wants the best for each other. They are a delight to watch.

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