Another Jo

"I get excited about every grandbaby, but there's just something about when a baby's named after you."

-Kelly Jo Bates

In this clip from this week's episode, Alyssa explains how they decided on Macy Jo Webster for their fourth daughter. Let's just say that Kelly is over the moon.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Kelly on a Go-Kart

Go-Kart Racing with Kelly Jo Bates

Kelly Bates: "You have control of the pedals. You do not have to choose to get out there and drive like a crazy driver."

Gil Bates: "That is true, but they don't call it go-kart driving. They call it go-kart racing."

Would you rather go go-karting with Kelly or Gil? It likely won't come as a surprise they they have different opinions on the purpose of the activity. You'll hear from both of them in the video below, which is a sneak peek of Thursday's episode.



Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Stood Up By Gil

Kelly Bates tells the story of her first "date" with Gil

"I was determined to show him that I was mad about that. He said, 'Why are you so mad at me?' And I told him that story."

-Kelly Jo Bates

You may have heard Gil and Kelly Bates talk about this on a previous episode of Bringing Up Bates, but it has been a while. They recently filmed a Bates Love Legends clip discussing their first date, or lack thereof. Gil stood Kelly up! Hear how it happened in the video below.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Bates Family Fall Vacation 2019

Alyssa and John Webster

 

The Bates are on vacation! The super-sized family, including the Websters from Florida, are gathered in Gatlinburg, located less than two hours from their hometown of Rocky Top, Tennessee. They are enjoying some time together, with the breathtaking Smoky Mountains as their backdrop, and the film crew is present. Trace's girlfriend, Chaney, also came into town for the trip. Late October and early November is considered one of the best times to visit the Smokies because the fall colors are in full bloom.

Today also happens to be Kelly Jo Bates' 53rd birthday. What a great way to celebrate. Happy birthday, Kelly!

Photo courtesy of John and Alyssa Webster

Bates Return in 13 Days

Kelly Jo Bates

Less than two weeks to go until new episodes of Bringing Up Bates return to UPtv! Season eight premieres Thursday, January 3rd, at 9pm ET/8pm CT. In case you haven't had a chance to watch the three promo videos that we have posted, the links are below.

What are you most looking forward to seeing this season? Carlin and Evan's engagement? Josie and Kelton's love story and wedding? The countdown to Kade's arrival? Zach and Whitney's vow renewal? Or the many other big and small Bates moments that will be featured?

Season 8 Sizzle Reel
Bates "Then and Now" Video
Zach's Promo Clip

Bradley Bates, Carson Paine, Brooklyn Paine, Kaci Bates

Photos courtesy of UPtv

Happy Birthday, Kelly!

Today is the Bates' third of four October birthdays, and it's a very special one. Matriarch Kelly Jo Bates is 52 years old!

Gil and Kelly Bates

Kelly Bates and Brooklyn Paine

Warden Bates, Michael Keilen, Kelly Bates, Alyssa Webster

 

Gil and Kelly Bates' wedding (December 19, 1987)

 

Kelly and Addallee Bates

Lawson Bates and Kelly Bates

Photos courtesy of UPtv, thebatesfamily.com, lawsonbates.com

Bringing Home Baby

 Kelly Jo Bates and Allie Jane Webster

Time sure does fly! Feels like just yesterday, we were watching proud grandparents Gil and Kelly Bates meet little Allie Jane, and now Allie is two-and-a-half and about to welcome her second little sister. Hope you enjoy this throwback video.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

The Callaham Family

Two weeks ago on Bringing Up Bates, Kelly Jo (Callaham) Bates took a trip down memory lane with a visit to her hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She met up with her mom (Betty Jo, also known as "Meema"), her two older sisters (Kim and Kay), and Gwen (a gal who lived with the family while attending nursing school).

Kelly, the baby of the family, also had an older brother, Chip Callaham, who passed away at age 53. Her father, now deceased, and mother divorced when Kelly was in third grade. Kelly stayed with her mom in South Carolina, while her father moved with the other children to Tennessee.

When Kelly moved out years later, her mom, then 50 years old, became lonely and decided to adopt a newborn baby, Beth. One year later, Betty Jo adopted another daughter, Beka, so Beth wouldn't have to grow up alone.

Take a look at these old photos, and let us know in the comments section which of the 19 Bates children you think resemble young Kelly and her parents and siblings. (Take a look at the pictures in our header for reference.)

 Kelly Jo Callaham (now Kelly Jo Bates)

The Callaham family

Photos courtesy of UP

Reunited in Florida

"Even though this was a very hard, busy week, we wanted Alyssa to feel like she's special, and it was important for us to be there for her and to let her know that you are still a top priority in our lives."
-Kelly Jo Bates

In this sneak peek scene from tomorrow's new episode of Bringing Up Bates, Kelly Bates, Michael Keilen, Katie Bates, and Warden Bates spend time with the Websters down in Florida. Alyssa Webster's due date is only eight weeks away, and she says her seemingly tiny baby bump feels like a whale. Kelly is thrilled when Gil finally arrives, as the couple has been apart for a few days.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Bates Matriarch Turns 50

Wishing Kelly Jo Bates a blessed 50th birthday! Did you know that Kelly's favorite subjects in college were biology, chemistry, and calculus? She majored in human services and minored in special education. 

Photo courtesy of UP

Whitney Bates the Party Planner

We have a second video preview of tonight's episode to share! (Click here to view the first one.) Bringing Up Bates "Bringing Up Bradley" airs at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Spoiling the Bates Grandbabies

Are you pumped for tonight's new episode of Bringing Up Bates, "Bringing Up Bradley"? The show starts at 9pm ET/8pm CT, only on UP (video preview below).

Time is flying, and the Bates' first grandbaby, Bradley, is turning one! Kelly Jo and Carlin look for gifts, but their outing goes overboard and quickly turns into a shopping spree. Lawson puts his best face forward at a photo shoot for his new album. Later, the family gathers for Bradley's birthday party, and Whitney shares a big announcement.

Photo/video courtesy of UP

Tonight: The Quest for the Dress

Tune in to UP tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a few episode of Bringing Up Bates, "The Quest for the Dress" (preview below).

Michaela Bates takes Kelly Jo and her sisters into town to look for the perfect wedding dress, but after hours and hours of searching, she gives up. None of the gowns are right. The wedding is only two months away, and Michaela is starting to get nervous.

Bates-Keilen Wedding Pics

Michaela (Bates) and Brandon Keilen have been newlyweds for four days! Check out these pictures of their beautiful wedding, which was officiated by Gil Bates. Tune in to UP tomorrow at 9pm ET/8pm CT to watch Michaela choose her bridal gown (preview coming soon).

Did you know that Michaela and Brandon met more than six years ago? Their feelings for each other grew steadily until, on December 30th, 2013, Brandon asked Michaela to begin a courtship.

Look closely at picture five, and you'll notice that the couple's unity candle is perched on a tree stump that has their names engraved in a heart. When your dad and brothers do tree work, why not get a little creative?

 The Bridesmaids!

Left to right: Angie Keilen, Alyssa Bates Webster, Tori Bates, Erin Bates Paine, Michaela Bates Keilen, Kelly Jo Bates, Jana Duggar, Becky Keilen, Christy Keilen

 Michaela poses with her mom and three of her sisters

 The ceremony

 Michaela and Brandon light a unity candle

 The kiss!

 Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Keilen 

Jana Duggar and Michaela Bates Keilen

 The Bates-Keilen wedding party

 Brandon & Michaela Keilen with Gil & Kelly Bates

 The bride and groom

Photos courtesy of UP