New TN Residents

Katie and Travis Clark have officially arrived in East Tennessee...to stay! The couple announced just last month that they would be leaving New Jersey. Moving day has come and gone, and they are now settled into their new apartment. Katie will be close to her family, and Hailey Clark will have plenty of cousins to play with.

Katie and Travis shared a YouTube video that shows footage of them packing up their belongings and enjoying their last moments in New Jersey. They still own their house and are renting it out. Katie has lived in New Jersey since she and Travis got married in December 2021.

Bates Couple Announces No. 2

Get ready! There's another wave of Bates babies coming soon. Tori and Bobby Smith announced last October that they were expecting their fifth baby, followed by Lawson and Tiffany Bates' announcement of their rainbow baby on the way earlier this month. And now, Nathan and Esther Bates have jumped on board. They just shared that little Kenna will be gaining her first sibling this fall.

Gil and Kelly Bates gained five grandchildren in 2023. Considering that one baby (Miles Balka) has already arrived in 2024, do you think this will be an even bigger year for Bates babies?

Another Bates Baby

In December, we posted the heartbreaking news of Lawson and Tiffany Bates' miscarriage. Before Christmas, they actually found out that they were expecting again, and they just made that announcement public. 

In their latest YouTube video, they show Tiffany telling Lawson. They also show the moment when they share the news with Kelly Bates over FaceTime and then ask her to make them an appointment with Dr. Vick, the Bates family's trusted OBGYN. Lawson writes a sweet letter to the baby, as well. He or she is due to arrive in early summer 2024.

Why are the Clarks Moving?

Have you heard Katie and Travis Clark's big news? They are moving to East Tennessee! We posted the announcement last month. Many have guessed that they are leaving New Jersey because Katie is homesick for her family, but that's actually not the reason. Travis wants to be more dedicated to his music career, and in order to spend more time in Nashville, it makes sense to live in Tennessee. 

Katie and Travis still want to be close to family, though, so they are renting a two bedroom apartment in the Knoxville area, with the idea that Travis will commute to Music City. You can hear more about the couple's plans in their latest YouTube video.

Sewing 11 Prairie Dresses

"My mom pours her heart into I Love You Day, and I feel like my siblings do, too. My mom starts planning months in advance."

-Michael Kielen

After seeing all the beautiful costumes that the Bates wore for their Little House on the Prairie themed I Love You Day celebration, many of you have wondered who made them. If you guessed that Michael played a big role, you're correct, but the work was far from drudgery for her. 

In their latest YouTube video, Michael and Brandon Keilen discuss their preparation for the Valentine's Day party. Michael, who loves sewing, says it was "like a dream come true" to have an opportunity to design and create 11 dresses. While she made the outfits, Brandon built a wagon to give the kids rides during the party. 

Still, the Keilens insist that matriarch Kelly Bates is the real MVP when it comes to preparing for I Love You Day. "I am truly amazed at how my mom does this over and over and over again because she thinks of every single person," says Michael.

Meet Miles Balka

Josie and Kelton Balka’s son is still in the hospital having blue light therapy, but his numbers are improving, and he is down to one light. The proud parents just announced their baby’s name: Miles Kelton Balka. He was born February 21st and weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. 

Clarks are Moving

 Josie and Kelton Balka just delivered their baby boy on Wednesday and are still in the hospital while their son has blue light therapy. Meanwhile, Katie and Travis Clark just shared a big announcement of their own. They are moving from New Jersey to Tennessee! 

It’s a BOY!

One of the Bates couples just had a baby and waited until the birth to find out the gender. It’s a boy! Can you guess who the parents are? Hint: They already have two girls. Josie and Kelton Balka delivered their son this week and were elated at the surprise. 

Bates' 'Little House' Costume Party

How many of you are Little House on the Prairie fans? If you are, you're going to love the theme for the 2024 Bates Valentine's Day gathering. We already posted the link to Carlin and Evan Stewart's video from the event, but a few more couples have since shared their footage. What did you think of the costumes?

Trace and Lydia Bates ('I Love You Day')

Katie and Travis Clark ('I Love You Day')

Erin and Chad Paine ('I Love You Day')

Trace and Lydia Bates (Couples' Dinner)

Bates 'I Love You Day' 2024

If you are a long-time fan of the Bates family, you've likely heard about their annual gathering for Valentine's Day, which they call 'I Love You Day.' Every year, Kelly Bates plans a big costume party for the entire family and a separate dinner for all the couples. For the past several years, they have chosen a theme and have awarded prizes for the best costumes. 

This year, the theme was Little House on the Prairie. The festivities took place this weekend, and Carlin and Evan Stewart have already shared footage of both the costume party and couples dinner on YouTube.

2022: Bible characters

2021: Noah's ark/animals 

2020: Roaring '20s

2019: Chivalry/medieval

2018: Growing Old Together