Gil and Kelly's New Bedroom

Last season on Bringing Up Bates, we watched the Bates kids give their living room, kitchen, and dining room a complete overhaul as a surprise for their parents, who were in Utah for Josie's engagement. They barely finished in time, but their hard work paid off. (Click here to see the before and after photos.)

This time, the siblings decided to take their redecorating to the next level (literally...because they went upstairs) and give Gil and Kelly Bates' master bedroom a makeover. Doesn't it look amazing? The masterminds behind the new design were Erin and Chad Paine, Zach and Whitney Bates, and Carlin Bates. For those looking to do some redecorating of their own, here is a list of some of the supplies they used:

Comforter: Purchased at Stein Mart
Family photos on Canvas: Ordered from Easy Canvas Prints
Bed: Ordered from Wayfair
Lamps, pillows greenery, curtains: Purchased at Target and Hobby Lobby
Paint: Sherwin-Williams (dark is peppercorn and light is aesthetic white)
Nightstands, bench, dresser, vanity: Refinished by Chad Paine

We have also included a before and after photo of the change that the room underwent in 2015.

2019 Makeover:

2015 Makeover:

Photos courtesy of chadanderin.com, UPtv

The Bates Love Christmas

Carlin Bates, Lawson Bates, Josie Bates, Ellie Bates, 

Callie Bates, Addallee Bates, Jeb Bates, Judson Bates 

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? It's not quite December, but the Bates are ready for the holiday season to begin. In fact, they put up their outdoor Christmas lights at the end of October. (Do you think that's too early?)

To kick off the advent season, we have a Bates Christmas music video to share, featuring some of the Bates kids singing "Go Tell It On the Mountain." This clip was filmed in December 2015.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Carlin on Getting Married Sooner

Now that Carlin Bates is taking classes online rather than on campus, she is able to help her mom tutor the younger Bates kids. This is a huge help to Kelly, but Carlin admits that she had another reason for making the decision.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Josie and Carson

The Bates kids love spending time with their nieces and nephews. Gil and Kelly Bates currently have eight grandchildren (two boys and six girls) with one on the way in November. With two potential Bates weddings coming up in the near future, that number will likely continue to grow each year.

Carson Paine and Josie Bates

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Which Bates is the Nicest?

The littlest Bates kids sure are full of personality, and it seems like they always have something to say. In this clip, the youngins take part in another round of Name That Bates Junior, as they share which family member they think is the nicest and which person they most enjoy talking with.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Prayers for Meema

 

Kelly Bates, Meema, and Kay (one of Kelly's sisters)

If you saw our post on Tuesday, you know that three of the Bates kids graduated from college on Monday. It was an exciting day for the family!

Kelly’s mom, whom the family calls Meema, drove to Tennessee from North Carolina for the event, but she fell on Sunday and fractured two of her lower vertebrae. She had surgery but has a long road to full recovery. We know the family would appreciate your prayers, especially as Meema attempts to travel home tomorrow.

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Bates Kids on Chores

"It's the easiest stuff first, so us kids have learned, if Mom starts saying them, you'd better raise your hand on the first one. Whoever screams the loudest gets it."
-Erin Bates

With 19 kids, the Bates' house is run like a well-oiled machine. In this old clip from the 2012 TLC series United Bates of America, Kelly Bates assigns chores, and the Bates kids have learned how to avoid being stuck with the dreariest tasks.

We are currently taking a short break from blogging but will be back with you in a few days.

Photo/video courtesy of TLC

This Week on 'Bringing Up Bates'

Are you ready for another round of all-new footage featuring UP TV's largest family? Episode two of Bringing Up Bates season five, "Plans, Bands and Mashed Potatoes," premieres tomorrow at 9pm ET/8pm CT and 11pm ET/10pm CT. It's only a 30-minute show, but you'll still see several story lines.

Ahead of Kelly Bates' 50th birthday coming up on October 26th, Erin Paine gathers her siblings together to discuss plans for a surprise party. Jeb and Judson Bates vow to keep their lips sealed, but some of the older siblings are wondering if the two youngest Bates kids will actually be able to keep a secret.

 Bates kids

Later, Gil Bates and his older boys head outside to find a location for a basketball court. They have always played on gravel, but Gil and Kelly agree that it's time to build a solid foundation.

 Who knew Mama Bates could shoot hoops? Does she make the shot? Find out on tomorrow's episode!

With all the older girls either married or busy with college, Kelly has to rely on the boys for help with meals. (The Bates mom says that has been a big adjustment.) Warden, the Bates' budding chef, visits Erin to learn how to cook a family favorite.

 Warden Bates

 Erin Bates Paine and Warden Bates

Max the puppy is growing! He waits eagerly for Chad to return home from work.

 Chad Paine and puppy Max Paine

Later, Lawson Bates hosts a band practice for his upcoming concert tour. 

 Lawson Bates and his band

Carlin Bates rehearses with the band

Photos courtesy of UP

Secret Keepers

Coming up this week on Bringing Up Bates, Erin gathers her siblings to discuss plans for Kelly Bates' 50th birthday. After sharing the surprise, Erin begins to wonder if the two youngest Bates kids will be able to keep it on the down low. Check out the videos below, and visit our Showtimes page for TV listings.

Are you a good secret keeper?

Photo/video courtesy of UP

2 Bates at Niagara Falls

Will the older Bates kids be able to keep everyone in line while Mom and Dad Bates take a trip to Niagara Falls and leave their crew home alone? Tune in to tomorrow's new episode of Bringing Up Bates to find out! The fun starts at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP (promo video below).

 
Photo/video courtesy of UP

Callie Turns 7

Wishing Callie a blessed 7th birthday! Did you know that Callie's full name is Callie-Anna Rose Bates? She is named after a friend named Rose Ann Brown who greatly impacted the Bates family with her testimony.

The third youngest of the Bates kids, Callie loves cheesecake, just like older sister Erin. She shares a birthday with Jennifer Duggar, who turns nine years old today.

Here is a photo of Callie from two years ago...

And here's a snapshot from the latest UP photoshoot...

Photos courtesy of UP

Erin: 'It sounds like a zoo'

 Callie Bates, Addallee Bates, and Ellie Bates

"One of the problems we have in our family [is that] we have never learned to let one person talk at a time. There's this huge barrage of verbal things coming, and everybody's talking at one time."

-Gil Bates

This week's new episode of Bringing Up Bates might just have you on the floor laughing! Check out the two promo videos below for a taste of what's in store. The show starts at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP.

Thursday, July 21
8pm ET: The Big Chili
8:30pm ET: The Great Bates Clean-Up
9pm ET: Bloopers, Outtakes, and Mishaps, Oh My! (NEW)
With 19 kids you never know what what's going to happen! And as we've seen, the Bates kids are chock-full of hilarious sayings and entertaining moments. We take a look back and highlight the funniest and wackiest things the Bates kids have said and done.

 
Photo/videos courtesy of UP

Bates Boys Sing Love Songs

Tonight's all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates is sure to be memorable. You all have been eagerly waiting for the unmarried Bates kids to share relationship updates, and it's finally time to hear some! Tune in to UP tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT. Scroll down to read the episode summary and watch a sneak peek video. (Click here for another video.)

Bringing Up Bates "A LOVEly Day"
The whole family arrives at the Bates house to celebrate their favorite holiday, ‘I Love You Day,' and there’s someone new at the table – Tori’s beau, Bobby Smith. Bobby, who lives in Florida, only has two sisters, so Tori is a little apprehensive about introducing him to the "Bates mafia."

The Bates are thrilled to see Michaella and Alyssa return home, as well as Nathan’s girlfriend, Ashley, who arrives for the celebration to have a very important conversation with Gil and Kelly Jo. Later, someone in the family makes a very special announcement.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Bates Wedding #5?

Lawson Bates, Nathan Bates, and Trace Bates

"One thing I will never do or support in our family is an outdoor wedding" (Lawson Bates).

After attending their aunt's wedding, the Bates kids share their guesses as to which of their siblings will be the next to tie the knot, following Michael. "I think it's probably going to be Tori," says Erin (Bates) Paine. "Tori really likes to hang out with guys."

Season three of Bringing Up Bates has begun! Click here to read our written recap of the premiere episode, and keep coming back to the blog for photos, videos, and updates.

Photo and video courtesy of UP

Christmas on UP

Bringing Up Bates, set to return for its third season on January 7th, is one of UP's most popular TV shows. Can you find the Bates kids scattered throughout this UP Christmas promo video?

Video courtesy of UP

Next Bates Pregnancy?

We're curious to hear which Bates couple you think will be the next to announce a pregnancy. When Michael and Brandon tie the knot on August 15th, there will be four married Bates kids. And don't forget about Gil and Kelly Bates. They have said many times that they would love to have more children.

Photo courtesy of the Bates family/UP

Bates Do P.E.

Zach Bates was recently given the opportunity to attend a police academy. To prepare his son for the intense physical training that would be part of the program, Gil put him through a workout. Whitney and a handful of the Bates kids joined in.

"I kind of dread all the exercising because I know how much more I'm going to have to do in the next few months," Zach revealed in a recent interview with UP.

Everyone gathered on the porch in workout attire, and Gil--with Jeb on his shoulder--demonstrated various exercises, including jumping jacks, pushups, toe touches, "foot fire," situps, and lunges. When the crew finished those, Gil sent them on a run.

"My dad's a little crazy, " says Tori. "I think the tree work has kept him in shape pretty well.

"I think all these kids have kept him in shape," adds Carlin.

Gil Bates was very involved in athletics as a kid. He earned his college degree in physical education and planned to be a P.E. teacher. Gil and Kelly Bates work physical education into their kids' everyday lives, assigning them house projects and ensuring that they spent plenty of time playing outdoors, but from time-to-time, Gil puts the children through a vigorous workout.

Name That Bates Baby

Can Gil and Kelly Bates and their kids identify Bates baby pictures? Watch the following video to find out:

"Tori, Hands Off!"

See what happens when Michaella and Tori take Brandon and the little Bates kids to an indoor bounce house.

"He had a bunch of excuses, so I just grabbed him and pulled him," says Tori. "And Michaella had a fit. She does not like people touching her boyfriend."

Bates Sing "In This House"

If you missed last night's episode, check out this video of the Bates family performing "In This House" at the Museum of Appalachia's Tennessee Fall Homecoming festival. (Click here to watch the "In This House" music video that the Bates kids filmed in 2012.)

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