Baby Cuddles with Holland

Erin Paine and Holland Grace Paine

Have you heard the exciting Bates news that was announced on Wednesday? Holland Paine arrived on Tuesday (details can be found in our "Holland is Here" post). And if you follow our blog about the Duggar family, you know that a member of that clan also had a baby this week. Anna Duggar delivered Maryella Hope Duggar yesterday morning.

Photo courtesy of chadanderin.com

Michael Moves Home

Michaela and Brandon Keilen

On our blog about the Duggar family, we just announced Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo's upcoming move to Los Angeles. Well, a member of the Bates family just shared news of a move, as well. Michael and Brandon Keilen are moving to Michael's home state of Tennessee!

Michael already has an EMT-IV license and a degree in medical health science. She will begin nursing school this fall, and she found the most affordable schooling in Tennessee. She and Brandon are completing the process over the next several weeks.

The Keilens have always known that Chicago would not be a permanent home for them, and Michael has missed the Smoky Mountains and her family very much.

Photo courtesy of brandonandmichaela.com

Bates #1 Turns 30

Eleven days after Gil and Kelly Bates' 31st wedding anniversary, it's time to acknowledge the 30th birthday of their first child. Happy birthday, Zach! And since today is December 30th, it's his golden birthday.

On December 14th, Zach and Whitney Bates celebrated their five-year anniversary. In June of this year, the couple renewed their wedding vows in front of family and friends. Today also happens to be Jedidiah and Jeremiah Duggar's 20th birthday.

Zach and Whitney Bates, 2018

Zach and Whitney Bates, 2017

Kaci Bates, Whitney Bates, Zach Bates, Bradley Bates, Easter 2018

Zach Bates, Bradley Bates, Kaci Bates, June 2017

Bradley Bates, Whitney Bates, Zach Bates, Valentine's Day 2016

Zach and Whitney Bates, 2014

Photos courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates, thebatesfamily.com, UPtv, lawsonbates.com

Tori Bates is Married!

What a lovely afternoon watching Tori Bates become Mrs. Bobby Smith at a beautiful wedding in Knoxville, Tennessee! The purple and silver, alongside white trees, made for a gorgeous, wintry setting. As expected, the wedding party was made up mostly of siblings. The audience laughed and cried as Pastor Gil Bates officiated the ceremony with the perfect combination of tenderness and humor.

Tori was glowing in her stunning Renee Miller wedding gown. (I--Ellie--was invited to join the Bates ladies the day Tori chose her dress.) The lemon-blueberry wedding cake, made by Kelly Bates' sister Kay, was simply divine.

We enjoyed exchanging hugs and hellos with members of both the Bates and Duggar families. The Duggars are close friends of the Bates, and most were in attendance today. We were also thrilled to chat with a few followers of our blogs.

Details of Tori and Bobby's special day can be found at People.com.

Recap: "All About the Bates"

Bringing Up Bates "All About the Bates"

• The Bates sit down to answer questions submitted by fans.
• Do the kids want more siblings? Yes!
• Do Gil and Kelly want more children? Yes! "We would love more children," says Kelly. "I think that I'm getting a little too old, I guess, because we're trying and nothing's happening."
• How old do the kids have to be to court? Gil and Kelly set an approximate age of 18. "But honestly, for some kids it should be older because they ain't very mature," says Tori.
• The kids all agree that Brandon should propose to Michaella very soon. "I don't care how we get engaged," says Michaella. "As long as we get married, it doesn't matter."
• Will there be a Bates/Duggar wedding? Nathan says: "Absolutely yes." "There has to be out of 19 of them," says Tori.
• Which kids are the most outgoing? Tori and Nathan
• Who has the best style? Josie and Alyssa
• Have Gil and Kelly become less strict in their old age? Everyone says yes. The parents of 19 call it "grandparent syndrome."
• Do the Bates have any tips for disciplining children? Avoid being an angry parent, says Gil. "You may get instant results," explains the dad of 19. "But you are going to create a huge wall between you and your child..." He and Kelly encourage other parents to talk through things with their kids.
• What meal tips does Kelly have to share? She plans meals a week in advance. One of the Bates' favorite recipes is sautéed chicken. They cut boneless chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces and sauté them in olive oil, chopped onion, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper until golden brown. Then they add honey mustard and spicy mustard and serve with potatoes.
• Can the Bates identify baby pictures of all the children? Nope.
• Do the Bates have any hidden talents? Carlin can yodel.
• Is there anything Chad can't do? Everyone says no. "We are still discovering all the talents of Chad," says Nathan.
• The kids give viewers a tour of the house. On the second floor are the master bedroom, laundry room/family clothes closet, and girls' room. The girls have trundle beds to save space. Inside the girls' room is a tiny alcove that has a bunk bed for Judson and Jeb and an elliptical. The boys live on the third floor.

Special Message from Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar introduce Gil and Kelly Bates' new series, United Bates of America.

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