Bobby Turns 25

Tori and Bobby Smith at yesterday's I Love You Day party

 

Happy 25th birthday to Bobby! Between the couples' dinner on Friday, the Bates' Valentine's Day celebration on Saturday, Bobby's birthday today, and Jackson and Addie's birthdays tomorrow, it has been a busy weekend for the Bates clan.

Tori Smith, Bobby Smith, Kade Smith

Photo courtesy of keilencorner.com; Tori and Bobby Smith

I Love You Day 2020 Prep

2019 I Love You Day couples dinner

As the Bringing Up Bates "I Love You Day Special" comes to a close on UPtv, the Bates family is busy preparing for this year's I Love You Day celebration. The Websters have arrived from Florida, and the family is getting ready to party. The theme is the "roaring '20s." The Bates' usual Valentine's Day festivities include a couples dinner, followed by a fun-filled gathering for the entire clan.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Gender Announcement Coming Soon

Josie Balka is almost 22 weeks pregnant with her first baby. She and Kelton Balka found out the gender of Baby Balka and announced it to the family while everyone was in town for the big Bates Valentine's Day party last month. The expectant parents are hoping to share the news, as well as the name they have chosen, with the public next week, so stay tuned!

Josie Balka, 21 weeks pregnant

Photo courtesy of Josie and Kelton Balka

'Eye Love You Day' Recap

Bringing Up Bates "Eye Love You Day"

• Kelly is in bed recovering from vision correction surgery, so Carlin is in charge of homeschooling, and she runs a tight ship. She wakes the kids up earlier than usual, and the ones who won’t get out of bed get water sprinkled on their faces. “Half the time I’m not awake until she dumps the water on me,” admits Jackson.
• Gil loves pampering his wife, saying that he finally has her all to himself. Michael comes down from Chicago to cook and help with the children.
• One week after her surgery, Kelly is back in the swing of things. It’s time to start planning for I Love You Day (Bates Valentine’s Day). The theme is Growing Old Together, and the Bates mom is awarding a monetary prize to those with the best costumes. The goal of the theme is to honor Gil’s parent’s (Papa Bill and Mama Jane) and Kelly’s mom and new stepfather (Meema and Tom), as well as to express a hope that Gil and Kelly have for their married children. “That was all in fun, but at the same time, my prayer is [that] they will be able to grow old together,” says Kelly.
• Kelly and some of the kids go to Karm Thrift Store to find outfits for the party. “It was neat to see how everybody kind of envisioned what an older person dresses like,” says Erin.
• While searching for a costume, Kelly ends up finding something that she wants to wear on a regular day. Her kids poke fun at her, but she doesn't mind. “I am older,” says Kelly, laughing. “I’m not going to apologize.”
• “This is our biggest family holiday,” says Erin. The Websters arrive, and the older girls help the little kids make gifts, like bath scrub and body wash, to give to family members (in addition to the big gift exchange). While they work, Erin and Alyssa discuss their pregnancies. Erin says she “feels so successful” to be in her third trimester, while Alyssa says she is “so done.”
• The topic turns to Carlin’s relationship and possible engagement. She and Evan have been talking about timing. “As an older sister, it’s just really sweet to watch your younger sister go through a relationship,” says Erin.
• “Don’t talk about getting married,” cautions Gil. “We done got enough people married.” “Dad, you shouldn’t have had so many girls!” replies Alyssa.
• “I tell you, I can’t give away the boys, but everybody wants to get the girls,” says Gil.
• The night before the big celebration, the Websters and Paines decorate a big table at a local lakeside restaurant before the couples (both married and courting, including the grandparents), arrive. “This is not just any old date at the fast food,” says Kelly. “This is special.”
• “They’re excluding us from a lot of good fun and food,” says Lawson. “So this must change.” He arrives at the dinner in a suit, and Kelly tells him he is only welcome if he has “got a girl.”
• “Well I actually did bring somebody special here that I wanted to introduce you all too,” says Lawson. “You did what?!” exclaims Gil.
• Out comes Nathan, wearing a nightgown, curlers, and a gray wig. The room erupts in laughter. “Those two boys, it’s amazing what they’ll do to come to a good dinner,” says Gil, chuckling. “If he was dating somebody, this mama would know it,” states Kelly.
• During dinner, everyone shares their first impression of their significant other. Kelly was attracted to Gil’s athleticism and his “strut.” “Let’s just say he strutted his feathers, and this bird came running,” says Kelly.
• “I remember thinking, the guy that gets to marry [Michael] is going to be a very blessed guy, and I didn’t think I had a chance, but I’m the blessed guy,” shares Brandon.
• The next day, everyone arrives at the big house for the main celebration. Erin, Chad, Carlin, and Evan go all out. For contrast, the grandparents come dressed like young people.
• The winners of the costume contest are Evan (best adult male costume), Carlin (best adult female costume), Erin and Chad (best dressed couple), and Judson (best child costume).
• After a few games, it’s time for the gift exchange. “Honestly, the best thing about I Love You Day…is watching the other people open the gifts that you got them,” says Tori.
• Jackson’s gift for Katie is a pizza (delivered during the gift exchange), Ramen noodles, and a pair of shoes. Katie is thrilled, although she is only able to eat one piece of pizza before her siblings devour the rest.

30 Bates and Counting!

Just one month after revealing that Zach and Whitney Bates are expecting their second child, the Bates family has more baby news to share.

At the Bates Valentine's Day banquet, Erin (Bates) Paine and husband Chad Paine announced that they, too, will be having another little one this summer. Erin and Chad's son, Carson, just turned nine months old. With 2 parents, 19 kids, 4 in-laws, and 5 grandchildren, the Bates family has reached a whopping 30 members.

The elated parents share their announcement in the video below:

Photo/video courtesy of sheknows.com

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

Bates Fam Celebrates Love

For Gil and Kelly Bates and their kids, Valentine's Day (aka I Love You Day) is a family affair. The entire family dressed in their fanciest clothes and gathered to exchange gifts. All the married couples were present (Zach and Whitney and Bradley, Erin and Chad, and Alyssa and John), as well as Michaella and her boyfriend, Brandon.

The Bates family celebrates Valentine's Day