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.
• After lunch, guests enjoys watching various family members run around the yard wearing Bump N’ Bounce Body Bumpers. (The song playing in the background is "Tomorrow" by Dewey Lybecker, Daniel Read, and Chris Soother.)
• Next is the three-legged and four-legged race. After the activities, everyone gathers around Carson’s highchair to watch him eat his cupcake. (See Tuesday's post for a hilarious deleted scene.)
• “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.