Thursday, March 31, 2022

Trace Bates Engaged

The 11th Bates wedding is in the works! Trace proposed to Lydia on March 21st, and Us Weekly broke the story today. The couple announced their relationship in early December. Congratulations to the future Mr. and Mrs. Bates! If they wed before October, that will be the fourth Bates wedding in less than 12 months.

 
Lydia Romeike and Trace Bates

Photo courtesy of @tracewbates

4 Grandchildren Born in March

March used to be one of only two months in which there were no Bates birthdays. Now, with the addition of grandchildren and in-laws, there are five birthdays in March. The first is Travis on the 8th. In 2018, Zoey Webster arrived March 28th, followed by Everly Paine on March 30th. Kolter Smith was born March 25, 2020, and Zade Stewart arrived four days ago (March 27th). 

Fun fact: June is the other month that used to have no Bates birthdays. Now, June has four grandchildren birthdays (Kaci Bates, Hazel Balka, Charlotte Smith, and Jadon Bates).

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Meet Bates Grandbaby #20

The 20th Bates grandchild has arrived safe and sound, and we have a photo to share! Zade Patrick Stewart went home yesterday, but while he was in the hospital, a number of family members and friends were able to visit him, including Aunt Michael.

 
Michael Keilen and Zade Stewart

Photo courtesy of @brandon_michael_jn15

Monday, March 28, 2022

Baby Boy Stewart's Name

 
Kelly Bates and Zade Stewart

Carlin and Evan Stewart announced the name of their son. They will call him Zade Patrick Stewart. Big congratulations to the couple!

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Baby Has Arrived!

 
Carlin Stewart, Evan Stewart, Layla Stewart

This morning, we shared that Carlin and Evan Stewart had arrived at the hospital. Here's an update: Baby Boy Stewart has been born! His name has not yet been revealed, nor have any photos been made public, but we will let you know when all of that is released.

Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Kolter Turns 2

Kolter Smith turned two years old yesterday. The Bates already have three grandchildren birthdays to celebrate at the end of March (Kolter, Zoey, and Everly). If Carlin delivers her son before the end of the month, that will be a fourth. 

 
Kade Smith and Kolter Smith

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Lawson and Tiffany's Engagement Footage

 
Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen

Last October, Lawson convinced Tiffany to travel to Italy to film a music video. He end up filming the video, but he also pulled off a surprise proposal. And to top it all off, that proposal is featured in the music video. Pretty unique, isn't it? The official music video for "Crazy Love" just released, and People Magazine posted an article featuring an interview with Lawson.  

Photo courtesy of lawsonbates.com

Monday, March 21, 2022

Lawson and Tiffany's New House

 
Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen

Lawson and Tiffany bought a house! The soon-to-be newlyweds closed on March 4th on a home in the Nashville area. In true Bates fashion, it's a fixer upper, and renovations are already underway, with help from other Bates family members. Below is a link to a YouTube video that Lawson and Tiffany posted.

Lawson and Tiffany's House: Demo Day 1

Photo courtesy of lawsonbates.com

Friday, March 18, 2022

Nathan in Ukraine

Nathan Bates is on the ground in war-torn Ukraine with the organization MEDIC CORPS. He and others are working to provide medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and trauma training. The team is currently in the capital city of Kyiv. To partner with them, consider praying for their efforts and their safety, as well as making a donation through the MEDIC CORPS website.


Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Lawson's Taste of Country Interview

 
Gil Bates, Kelly Bates, Tiffany Espensen, Lawson Bates 

Lawson just released the official lyric video for "Crazy Love," one of the songs on his album American Dream. The link to the YouTube video is below. 

Lawson chatted with Taste of Country to get the word out. In the interview, he shares how the song came to be and also talks about his role in wedding planning.

"Crazy Love" Lyric Video Link

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Baby Stewart Countdown

Carlin Stewart's April 9th due date is quickly approaching. She is currently scheduled for an induction at the end of the month, but as everyone knows, babies arrive on their own time, so perhaps Baby Boy Stewart will make his appearance early. After all, big sister Layla arrived well ahead of her due date. 

Carlin continues to work hard at the boutique with Whitney and Mama B (Kelly). Be sure to check out the Bates Sisters Boutique's Easter line.


 
Bringing Layla home from the hospital in 2020

Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Travis Turns 21

Happy birthday to Travis! How special to be able to celebrate his 21st with his wife of three months.

 
Katie Clark and Travis Clark

Photo courtesy of @kgbates2000

A Wedding Shower

Lawson and Tiffany's San Diego wedding is just over two months away! Over the weekend, they celebrated their upcoming nuptials with those closest to them at a shower thrown by the Bates family. Tiffany's family was able to travel to Tennessee for the event.

Gil Bates, Kelly Bates, Tiffany Espensen, Lawson Bates
 

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Jonah and the Whale

This year, the Bates celebrated I Love You Day without UPtv cameras. (We know how much you all miss the show...we do too!) The theme was Bible characters. The Balkas dressed up as Jonah, the whale, and sea creatures (adorable photo below). Alyssa and John posted footage to their YouTube account.

Past themes have included chivalry, animals/Noah's ark, growing old together, down on the farm, and the roaring '20s.


Josie Balka, Kelton Balka, Willow Balka, Hazel Balka

Photo courtesy of @josie_balka

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Biggest Bates Heart

At the Bates' I Love You Day party in 2020, Gil and Kelly introduced a new award, and it quickly became an important part of the annual gathering. Lawson was the recipient in 2020, and Michael received it in 2021. This year, Warden and Isaiah received the biggest heart award. According to Kelly, they have both worked very hard over the past year and have spent a ton of time helping siblings with renovation projects.

 
Trace Bates, Jackson Bates, Warden Bates, Isaiah Bates, Lawson Bates

Photo courtesy of @wardenjbates