Recap: 'From the Couch--Bates Go To Florida'

Bringing Up Bates "From the Couch: Bates Go To Florida"

• It's Christmastime 2014. As they show opens on Alyssa in her Florida home, Lawson says he couldn't imagine living in such quietude. "I think I'm going to stick around at the loud, noisy house of chaos for a while," he states, although he does plan to eventually get married.
• Alyssa, who used to be the main chef before she moved to Florida, prepares a meal for everyone. Lawson claims that he has lost weight since Alyssa left Tennessee.
• Later, everyone heads to the beach. This is the first time that the youngest kids have seen the ocean. 
• As Carlin, Lawson, and Nathan watch footage of themselves and the rest of the family enjoying the cold water, they comment on the background songs. "I'm telling you, the songs just really bring the mood to the whole atmosphere," says Carlin. 
• The clan also visits the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of Winter, the dolphin that stars in Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Lawson, Carlin, and Katie poke fun at their dad as they watch him try to work out a deal on admission for the family. 
• After picking oranges at an orchard, the Bates take a monster truck ride through a swamp. The film crew captures the adventure with their drone, but sadly, it hits a tree limb and plummets into the swamp. 
• Best quotes from the show:
• Lawson Bates: "That's something that is never going to change, Katie's sass. She's still dishing it out."
• Gil Bates: "We like beaches, and we like people. We just like people to have all of their clothes on at the beaches."
• Gil Bates: "Sometimes life is hard, but you can't give up. You just keep trying with whatever you've got left."
• Carlin: "Me and Tori always talk over each other." Lawson: "Carlin, I think you talk over everybody."

Recap: "The Bates Go to Florida"

Here is the recap of last night's show. We usually post our recaps immediately after each episode airs, but we were delayed this week due to technical difficulties. Thank you for your patience. :)

Bringing Up Bates "The Bates Go to Florida"

• The Bates clan arrives at Alyssa and John's home near Orlando. They newlywed couple has a small house that they keep very clean. "It was like somebody opened the floodgate..." said Gil, looking back on the family's visit.
• Kelly tells the kids to mind their manners while they are at Alyssa's. "We listen to the rules, but I don't know if we fully obey them," says Carlin.
• Alyssa is expecting a baby girl, Allie Jane, on April 10th. The Bates can't wait to welcome another grandchild.
• "Having a granddaughter is going to be exciting," says Kelly. "I know at the same time it is going to be really, really hard because I can't just go down the street and see her and hold her anytime I want to."
• John says he wants to wait about a month after the baby is born for Alyssa's 18 siblings to come visit. The kids aren't too happy about that.
• Gil brings his tree trimming supplies to clip a few branches for his daughter. Meanwhile, Kelly and Alyssa cook dinner. "It's definitely different cooking for 21 again," says Alyssa.
• "Alyssa's all about presentation," says Kelly. "She makes it look good."
• The entire family heads to Clearwater to go to the beach for the first time in seven years.
• "We like beaches, and we like people," says Gil. "We just like people to have all their clothes on at the beaches."
• Several of the kids wear swimsuits, which means WholesomeWear for the girls and swim trunks and shirts for the boys. The others wear regular clothes, but that doesn't stop their dad and siblings from throwing them in the ocean.
• Next, the family goes to the Clearwater Aquarium, where they have the privilege of feeding Winter, a dolphin with a prosthetic tale who stars in the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2.
• "It was pretty cool getting to pet a movie star dolphin...says " Katie.
• At Showcase of Citrus, the Bates pick fresh oranges. Then, they take a ride on one of the world's largest monster trucks. "I don't' think you could have picked a better way to end the trip," says Lawson.