Willow Turns 2

Happy 2nd birthday to Willow Balka! She is the 10th Bates grandchild, and her mama, Josie, is the 10th Bates child. Just a month ago, Willow became an older sister to Hazel.

 

Willow Balka, Kelton Balka, Josie Balka, Hazel Balka

Photo courtesy of @josie_balka

Hazel's Arrival

 

Josie Balka and Kelton Balka

Josie and Kelton Balka just welcomed their baby girl! Hazel Sloane Balka arrived Monday, June 14th, 2021, weighing 6 lbs 3 oz and measuring 18 inches long. Visit the UPtv website to see the first photos of little Hazel and read a quote from the new parents. We think Hazel looks like big sister Willow. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Josie the 'Little Entrepreneur'

 

Kelton Balka and Josie Balka

"I always thought that I had a little bit of entrepreneur in me, but if you had told me a few years ago how much of a little entrepreneur Josie was on the inside, I would not have believed you."

-Kelton Balka

How exciting is it to see Kelton's plumbing business growing and thriving? He and Bobby share some details about Tennessee Standard and show off the warehouse space that they are renting. But Kelton quickly changes the topic and beings raving about his wife and her beauty business (web exclusive video below).

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Baby Balka #2 is a...

 

Kelton Balka, Willow Balka, Josie Balka

Three of the Bates couples are expecting babies due in June (Zach and Whitney Bates, Josie and Kelton Balka, and Tori and Bobby Smith). We already know that the Smiths are having a girl named Charlotte Raine Smith, and Zach and Whitney will welcome a boy named Jayden Carl Bates. But will little Willow Balka have a brother or sister? Josie and Kelton just announced, and...

It's a girl! Her name will be Hazel Sloane Balka. Josie is 21 weeks pregnant and just had her anatomy scan. 

Photo courtesy of @josie_balka; @keltonbalka

Another Balka Baby

In September, Josie and Kelton Balka shared that they had suffered a miscarriage in August. They had announced their pregnancy to the family at Willow's 1st birthday party in July. To kick off the new year, the couple just shared that they are expecting again! Their rainbow baby is due in June 2021. Zach and Whitney announced in November that their 4th is also due in June. 

The Balkas' announcement photos can be found on Us Weekly. 

 

Kelton Balka, Josie Balka, Willow Balka

Christmas 2020

Photo courtesy of @josie_balka

Josie Turns 21

Happy 21st birthday to Josie Balka! Josie's daughter, Willow, just turned one year old on July 19th. Josie and Kelton will celebrate their two-year wedding anniversary in October.

Willow Balka, Kelton Balka, Josie Balka

May 2020

Photo courtesy of @josie_balka

1st Time Making Homemade Pizza

Making homemade pizza

Katie Bates, Travis Clark, Kelton Balka, Josie Balka

"Honestly, I have made very few things from scratch. I can make a mean frozen pizza, but when Travis said we're going to make some homemade pizza, I don't think he knew what he was in for."
-Katie Bates

They say there's as first time for everything! Katie and Travis recently made their first homemade pizza, with help from Josie and Kelton. The process ends up being harder than they expected, but you'll see the fruits of their labor this Thursday on UPtv (video below).



Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Kelton Turns 25

Happy Independence Day to our American readers! We sure are grateful for our freedom. We also want to wish Kelton Balka a blessed 25th birthday.

Josie Balka, Kelton Balka, Willow Balka

Camping spring 2020

Photo courtesy of @josie_balka

Happy Mother's Day 2020

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there, including all the Bates mamas! For an early celebration yesterday, Josie and Kelton Balka put Willow in the baby carrier and hiked Mt. LeConte in nearby Gatlinburg.

Willow Balka, Kelton Balka, Josie Balka

Photo courtesy of josie_balka and

Lots of Work but Plenty of Play

Brooklyn Paine

An all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates is coming your way tomorrow evening. It's the perfect evening activity to take part in while you practice social distancing due to coronavirus. Tune in to UPtv at 9pm ET/8pm CT for "First Home and Strict Chaperones."

Tori teaches four of the Bates grandchildren at her apartment. (See the video we posted on Monday.)

Tori Smith, Kade Smith, Carson Paine, Brooklyn Paine,

Kaci Bates, Bradley Bates

Josie and Kelton work on renovating their new home, with help from contractor Chad Paine and other family members.

Chad Paine and Kelton Balka

Josie Balka and Lawson Bates

While in town visiting Trace, Chaney is invited to model for Bates Sisters Boutique.

Chaney with Carlin Stewart

Chaney and Trace enjoy a bowling date with chaperones Jeb and Judson.

Jeb Bates, Chaney, Trace Bates

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and DuggarFamilyBlog.com).

Photos courtesy of UPtv

Tomorrow: 'A First Time for Everything'

Josie and Kelton Balka with newborn Willow Balka

T-minus one day! A new season of Bringing Up Bates is coming your way tomorrow (Thursday, March 5) at 9pm ET/8pm CT. Scroll down for snapshots, TV listings, and an episode summary. For a preview video, see our post from Friday.

Crabbing with the Stewarts in South Carolina

Carlin Stewart and Evan Stewart

Carlin and Evan Stewart in Charleston, South Carolina

Kelton Balka and Willow Balka

Thursday, March 5

9pm ET: A First Time for Everything
After their fairytale wedding, Carlin and Evan head off on their honeymoon with a stop in Charleston, SC. The newlyweds experience the romance of the city and try their hand at crabbing. But will Carlin show her claws when Evan dares her to pick up a crustacean? Trace's friend, Chaney, is in town, and he introduces her family to the Bates. Will Trace win her family over or lose his cool during a competitive game of bocce ball? The countdown to Josie and Kelton's first baby is on and final prep with a doula bolsters their confidence, but no one could truly anticipate the difficult labor in store. With much perseverance, Josie gives birth to baby Willow, and the family comes together to celebrate.

Photos courtesy of UPtv

The Roaring '20s

The Bates' annual Valentine's Day celebration has come to a close. Last night, the couples gathered for dinner, which was followed by a Charleston dancing face-off for the guys. This afternoon, the entire family got together for the big party, held at Gil and Kelly's church, Bible Baptist. The theme was the "roaring '20s." The film crew was present, so you can look forward to seeing all the fun on an upcoming episode of Bringing Up Bates.

Carlin Stewart, Evan Stewart, Layla Rae Stewart

Josie Balka, Willow Balka, Kelton Balka

Photos courtesy of Carlin and Evan Stewart; Josie and Kelton Balka

Kelton's New Company

Josie and Kelton Balka have an exciting announcement. Kelton started his own business!

After becoming a fifth generation licensed plumber at age 18, earning a finance degree from Pensacola Christian College in 2017, and working in his family's plumbing business for multiple years, Kelton is going off on his own, with his family’s full blessing. His company is Tennessee Standard, LLC

Bobby Smith, Kelton's best man and college roommate, is joining him as the administrative director. Bobby has worked with Kelton at The Plumbing Authority since he and Tori returned from Nashville last spring.

If you live in the Knoxville area, be sure to give Kelton a call the next time you need a plumber.

The Balkas will have another career announcement to make soon, this time from Josie. 

Photo courtesy of Josie and Kelton Balka; tnstandard.com

Willow Turns 6 Months Old

Willow Balka is six months old today! Last season of Bringing Up Bates ended with Carlin and Evan's May wedding, so viewers haven't officially "met" Willow yet. Josie and Kelton chose not to film her birth, but you can look forward to seeing her in upcoming new episodes. The season nine premiere date has not yet been announced, but you can rest assured that it won't be long.

Kelton Balka, Josie Balka, Willow Balka

Photo courtesy of Josie and Kelton Balka

The Fam Meets Khloe

There has been a lot of excitement in the Bates family over the past two days, following Khloe's arrival on Thursday. As you can imagine, Zach and Whitney have had plenty of visitors. The Bates are always thrilled to pieces when new babies are born.

Kelton Balka, Willow Balka (almost 4 months old), 

Josie Balka, Khloe Bates

Photo courtesy of Kelton and Josie Balka

Bates Fall Getaway 2019

The Bates family 

Gatlinburg, TN, October 2019

The Bates family loves spending time in Gatlinburg! They were there this weekend for a short family getaway. If you look closely at the family photo, you'll see Katie's friend Travis.

Bradley Bates, Carson Paine, Kade Smith, Everly Paine

 

Kelton Balka and Willow Balka

 

Chaney and Trace

 

Callie Bates and Jeb Bates

Photos courtesy of Gil and Kelly Bates, Josie and Kelton Balka, Zach and Whitney Bates, 

Balkas Buy a House

Josie Balka, Kelton Balka, Willow Balka

 

Another big change is in store for the Balkas. Little Willow hasn't even turned three weeks old, and they are getting ready to hit another huge milestone. New parents Josie and Kelton just closed on their first house, and they are planning to move in at the end of August, after they complete some renovations. And it won't be long before the premiere of Bringing Up Bates season 8B (premiere date to be announced soon).

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and DuggarFamilyBlog.com).

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Bates #10 Turns 20

Wishing Josie Balka a very happy 20th birthday!

Josie Bates

Bates family vacation 2007

 

Josie and Kelton Balka 2019

 

Josie Balka, Willow Balka, Kelton Balka

July 2019

Photos courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com, thebatesfamily.com, Josie and Kelton Balka

Willow's Newborn Shoot

Josie Balka, Kelton Balka, Willow Balka

Isn't she just darling? Josie and Kelton Balka did a newborn photo shoot with Taryn yager. Willow is two weeks old.

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and DuggarFamilyBlog.com).

Photo courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com, Josie and Kelton Balka

Bates #4 Turns 27

Happy golden birthday to Lawson! Today is July 27th, and he's turning 27. Did you know that his legal first name is actually William? Lawson is his middle name.

Tori Smith and Lawson Bates

Lawson Bates and Kade Smith

Kelton Balka, Josie Balka, Lawson Bates, Katie Bates

Nathan Bates and Lawson Bates

Lawson Bates and Kaci Lynn Bates

Lawson Bates and Sadie Robertson

Filming "Past the Past" music video

Lawson Bates and Allie Jane Webster

Lawson Bates and Zach Bates

Lawson and little Bates siblings

Lawson Bates

Photos courtesy lawsonbates.com, thebatesfamily.com, Josie Balka