Whitney Turns the Big 2-5!

Today, the Bates are celebrating the birthday of their only daughter-in-law. Gil and Kelly have four married daughters, which means they have four--soon to be five--sons-in-law, but as of yet, only one of their sons is married. Happy 25th, Whitney!

Zach and Whitney are approaching their five-year wedding anniversary this December. (Can you believe it?) They have two beautiful children and one waiting for them in heaven. 

Whitney Bates and Kaci Bates, Christmas 2016

Carlin Bates, Erin Paine, Whitney Bates, February 2018

Zach and Whitney Bates, Christmas 2016

Zach Bates, Whitney Bates, Bradley Bates, July 2015

Photos courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates

4th Time's a Charm?

Gil Bates, Michael Bates, Erin Bates, Zach Bates, Lawson Bates, Kelly Bates

"Hands down, three children was our hardest because of their ages."
-Kelly Bates

"After four, it gets way easier."
-Gil Bates

Really? Gil and Kelly raised 19 kids, and yet they say that their most challenging stage of parenting was when they had just three. Why do you think that is? In the scene below, Kelly takes Alyssa out for a day of pampering before Zoey's arrival.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Bates/Paine Wedding

Today, Erin Bates and Chad Paine are celebrating four years of marriage. For those who want to watch their wedding, it was featured in 19 Kids and Counting "Wedding Bells," which is available for purchase on Amazon. You can also click here to read our recap of the episode.

Just for fun, we put together a few wedding facts.

• At the last minute, there was an issue with the bridesmaid dresses that Erin ordered online, so the Bates ladies bought new material, and Michaela Bates sewed five dresses by hand in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
• Erin found her wedding gown on the clearance rack for $250 and had it altered to fit her modesty standards. 
• When Erin and Chad tied the knot, they moved into their little cottage home, complete with a very pink master bedroom decorated by Erin.
• The Duggars arrived in East Tennessee a couple days before the wedding to help with setup, and the older Duggar girls presented Erin with a gag gift. It was a well-known fact that Erin couldn't cook, so the girls compiled a book of easy recipes and takeout menus and purchased a smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher. Since getting married, Erin has fallen in love with cooking and become one of the best chefs in the family.
• Erin and Chad's wedding was attended by nearly 1,000 guests.

Photo courtesy DCL/TLC

Paines Celebrate 4 Years

Has it really been four years since Erin Bates and Chad Paine tied the knot? Wishing this cute couple a very happy fourth wedding anniversary! To view a video of their engagement, click here to be redirected to a previous post.

 Erin and Chad Paine

Erin Paine, Chad Paine, Carson Paine, Brooklyn Paine

Christmas 2016

Photos courtesy of chadanderin.com

Great Bates Moment: Zach and Whitney's Engagement

Last week, we shared two Great Bates Moments (an emotional clip of Michael Bates right before she walks down the aisle to become Michael Keilen and footage from Chad Paine's proposal to Erin Bates).

As Zach and Whitney Bates approach their four-year anniversary (December 14th), let's look back at their romantic engagement on September 12th, 2013.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Michael Down the Aisle

Another Great Bates Moment coming your way! On Tuesday, we shared a clip from Chad Paine's proposal to Erin Bates. The video below was taken just before Micheal Bates walked down the aisle to sweetheart Brandon Keilen. We just love the raw emotion and pure joy written on Michael's face.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

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

Paine Family Adds 2 More Members

What's cuter than a 21-month-old little boy in overalls? A 21-month-old little boy in overalls cuddling a baby goat, of course!

Both Erin Bates and Chad Paine have fond memories of growing up with goats, so they decided to grow their family by two more by adding twin baby goats. With two kids, a dog, and two goats, the Paines are now a family of seven.

According to Erin, Carson absolutely adores the goats, whose names are Bubby and Sissy (see pictures below). The Bates siblings have enjoyed them, as well.

 Carson Paine

 Carson Paine

Carson Paine

Photos courtesy of chadanderin.com

Erin and Chad's Engagement Anniversary

"I knew what her...picture-perfect engagement would be like, and I was like, 'I want to make that as best as I know how.'"
-Chad Paine

On this day three years ago, Chad Paine proposed to Erin Bates.

Chad planned a beautiful day that made his bride-to-be feel very loved. It started with lunch at Calhoun's on the Tennessee River. Gil and Kelly Bates came along. (Erin wanted her parents to be nearby during the proposal because they had invested so much of themselves into her life over the years.)

The next stop was Whitestone Country Inn, located in Kingston, Tennessee. Erin and Chad went for a canoe ride and then toured the property in a horse-drawn carriage. It was during the carriage ride that the couple held hands for the first time.

The driver dropped them off at a gazebo overlooking the lake. On a table inside the gazebo were a dozen white roses with two red roses in the middle. Chad dropped down on one knee and proposed with the words: "Erin Elise, will you marry me?" And Erin said "yes!"

The two embraced in a hug and enjoyed a few moments together before meeting up with the Bates parents to share their exciting news. They celebrated with a seven course dinner at the inn.

"When I look back and think about it, it seems almost unreal because it was so perfect."
-Erin (Bates) Paine

Happy engagement anniversary, Erin and Chad!

Photos courtesy of UP

Bates Updates

What is the Bates family up to? Let's take a look!

Alyssa and John Webster have had an exciting week down in Florida, with visits from Erin and Chad Paine and Gil and Kelly Bates.

 John Webster, Alyssa (Bates) Webster, Kelly Bates, Allie Webster, Gil Bates

 Erin (Bates) Paine and Chad Paine with niece Allie Webster and son Carson Paine

Meanwhile back in Tennessee, these two gals are still cuter than ever!

Addellee Bates (age 9) and Ellie Bates (age 8)

Photos courtesy of the Bates family

Throwback: Bates at the Beach

On this week's episode of Bringing Up Bates, Gil and Kelly and the Kids spent time at the beach in Clearwater, Florida. Check out these pictures of past Bates beach vacations.

 Gil Bates and Lawson Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Papa Bill and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Kelly Bates and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil and Kelly Bates with Lawson Bates, Erin Bates, 

Michaella Bates, and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil and Kelly Bates with Lawson Bates, Erin Bates, and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil and Kelly Bates with Michaella Bates, Erin Bates, Zach Bates, and Lawson Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil Bates with Zach Bates, Nathan Bates, Lawson Bates,

Erin Bates and Michaella Bates

1994

 Gil Bates with Nathan Bates and Lawson Bates

1994

 Michaella Bates

1994

 Bates family 

2006

 Bates family 

2006

Bates family 

2006

 Bates family 

2006

 Gil and Kelly Bates

2006

 Josie Bates

2007

Tori Bates and Addallee Bates 

2007

Details of Erin's Pregnancy

Have you heard the news? Erin (Bates) and Chad Paine are expecting! After suffering a miscarriage last year, the Paines were thrilled when the ultrasound technician detected a heartbeat.

Chad and Erin Paine

 "I couldn't stop smiling, just cause everything was positive," Erin exclaimed after the ultrasound. "It was just like, 'I've got a baby inside me, and his heart's beating.' I couldn't believe it."

Erin's doctor diagnosed her with a blood clotting disorder and instructed her to take a heparin shot twice a day throughout her pregnancy. Erin dreads needles but says it will all be worth it when she holds the baby in her arms. 

Keeping Up with the Bates Family

Alyssa Bates said "Yes" to John Webster's offer of courtship on November 6, 2013, just three days before her 19th birthday.

Erin Bates and Chad Paine, engaged in August 2013, tied the knot on November 2nd. The couple had been courting since January.

On September 12, 2013, Zach Bates proposed to Whitney Perkins, a girl he had been courting since July. The wedding is planned for December 14th.

*Photo Credits: Gil and Kelly Bates family