While driving through the hills of eastern Tennessee yesterday, we dropped by the Bates' house for lunch and fellowship. Gil and Kelly Bates are another family with 19 children and are close friends of the Duggars. A few years ago, they filmed a season of United Bates of America, a TLC reality series featuring their family.
Until five years ago, Gil and Kelly Bates and their growing family lived in a 1,700 square-foot house. Now, the Bates clan enjoys 4,600 square feet of living space, which includes a 2,900 square-foot addition built by the Duggars in 2009 as a Mother's Day present for Kelly.
Like Michelle Duggar, Kelly Bates is able to carry on a conversation while keeping an eye on her many little ones and reprimanding as necessary.
We accidentally deleted the photo of Judson with the cone on his head, but this one is almost as cute.
Until five years ago, Gil and Kelly Bates and their growing family lived in a 1,700 square-foot house. Now, the Bates clan enjoys 4,600 square feet of living space, which includes a 2,900 square-foot addition built by the Duggars in 2009 as a Mother's Day present for Kelly.
The Bates family home
Like Michelle Duggar, Kelly Bates is able to carry on a conversation while keeping an eye on her many little ones and reprimanding as necessary.
Kelly Bates with Addallee, Jeb, and Ellie Bates
Kelly almost always has a child on her lab and at least one by her side, as the younger ones enjoy cuddling with Mommy.
Kelly Bates with Callie and Ellie Bates
While we chatted, the kids played in the living room, and although they were full of energy, they instantly obeyed Kelly and the older kids when told to calm down.
Addallee, Warden, and Jeb Bates
Two-year-old Jeb is the youngest of Gil and Kelly Bates' 19 children.
This is the first time since the couple started having kids 25 years ago
that they have had a two-year-old and no infant. Everyone is excited to
welcome Zach and Whitney Bates' son, Bradley, into the family in
October.
According to the older kids, Jeb is the spittin' image of Judson, who is one year older.
Kelly Bates and Ellie
According to the older kids, Jeb is the spittin' image of Judson, who is one year older.
Judson and Jeb Bates
Jackson and Warden took a liking to Ellie's Mr. Handsome and pulled him into their game.
Warden, Ellie, Addallee, and Jackson Bates with Ellie's Mr. Handsome
Before we knew it, Ellie's Mr. Handsome was flipping the boys upside down, and they were loving every minute of it.
Ellie's Mr. Handsome and Jackson Bates
We accidentally deleted the photo of Judson with the cone on his head, but this one is almost as cute.
Judson Bates
Things are changing for the Bates, who have watched three of their children tie the knot over the past nine months.The kids say the house seems incredibly quiet with only 16 children living at home.
Zach and Erin and their spouses live nearby, but Alyssa moved all the way to Orlando, Florida, with her husband. Fourteen-year-old Josie, who was Alyssa's roommate and best friend, is looking forward to visiting her sister for two weeks in August.
Kelly Bates with Josie, Jeb, Trace, and Judson Bates
Josie Bates and Ellie
Tori Bates, 18, is taking college classes while helping her mom homeschool the younger kids.
Tori Bates and Ellie
Four-year-old Callie-Anna is as cute as a button with her "elephant ears," as she calls them.
Callie Bates
After we left, the kids grabbed their bins filled with school supplies and returned to their studies. Some of the children use A Beka DVDs, and others use traditional workbooks.
Tori Bates instructs Jackson, Ellie, Addallee, and Callie Bates
Derick and Jill Dillard have a wedding in Tennessee this weekend and are looking forward to visiting the Bates. Too bad we had to leave just two days before they were scheduled to arrive.
Aw, I love the pics! How sweet y'all were able to visit with them. I didn't know y'all knew them too! :) I love the Bates family every bit as much as the Duggars and I was so sad that their show didn't continue past the first season. They are the sweetest, most genuine family ever! :) :) Callie is adorable! And so glad Josie's able to visit Alyssa for two weeks. It was heartwrenching seeing her cry about Alyssa leaving.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see photos of Ellie.. do you ladies also believe as the Duggars and Bates? Ellie seems to be dressed similar to the Duggar and Bates daughters.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to visit the Bates and it is so nice to hear from them!!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless this family!!
such adorable pictures.
ReplyDeleteLilly and Ellie,
ReplyDeleteThank you SOOOOOOO much for posting lots of pictures! It is always fun to see new pictures and hear updates of the Duggars and the Bates!! Keep doing what your doing, your doing GREAT!!!!!!!!
There is only one thing I wish u would do, which is to post every day!! And some more pictures of Josh, Anna, Mackynzie, Michael, and Marcus.
Please get back to me!! THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Bates update!
ReplyDelete~Jessica G.
I love their porch! How do I get the Duggars to add one to my house LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat college is Tori going to and what is she studying?
ReplyDeleteI like Tori:) what is she studying in college?
ReplyDeleteLily and Ellie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these sweet photos of the Bates family! A couple corrections though...
2 or 3 of the photos you shared and listed some of the children's names were wrong. You kept listing one of the little girls (with dark hair) as Addallee and another of the younger girls (with light hair up) as Ellie. It was the opposite. Addallee is the older, light-haired girl (who is seven) and Ellie is the darker-haired one who is a year younger. Also, you called Trace Bates "Chase" instead. I'm sure you must have accidently messed up!
~Chloe
Ellie, you look great! Mr. Handsome looks like he's happy to be spending time with you and your friends. On another note, I love the Bates! They are such a good-looking family. Kelly is so gracious and a reflection of God's love.
ReplyDeleteSo fun that you've become friends with these families. The internet is such a neat thing.
ReplyDeleteKelly is an incredible mom!! You look great in hot pink, Ellie.
ReplyDeleteEllie,
ReplyDeleteAre you courting your Mr. Handsome or are you engaged?
Hi Lilly and Ellie you say not to post any thing that is derogatory, insulting or in poor taste.
ReplyDeleteBut you still post things that are there was a lot of that in yesterdays post. why do you let those things get posted?
We just LOVE the Bates and their children. I enjoy watching the interaction between the Duggars and the Bates as well. It is almost a treat to be present when they are together. It is a sweet time for anyone that can be here to see it. Seeing God at work is a breath of fresh air for us to be honest. I just want both families to know that God must be so,proud of both families. They are a testament to what he wants for all of us. Thank you Duggars and bates for that treat.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless all of you....
Mrs. Bates looks like she's aged a lot in the past years, but it probably hasn't slowed her down in helping her kids. She's an amazing mother!
ReplyDeleteWow... Those are the kind of comments that your mom should have told you to keep to yourself.
DeleteLove The Bates as well, wish they could have kept their show, thanks for the updates
ReplyDeleteLily and Ellie it has been announced by TLC that the new 19 Kids and Counting season will air on TLC on September 2nd. Here's a link for more info in case anyone is wondering.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2712606/The-Duggars-return-A-glimpse-new-season-19-Kids-Counting-Jill-Derick-plan-1-000-guest-wedding.html
That is awesome that Tori Bates is taking college classes and following Erin's footsteps in that regard. Ellie, do you know what Tori is majoring in?
ReplyDeleteAwww!! Thank y'all!! I love the Bates Family!! Got to meet a few of them once and they are sooo sweet!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on them. I keep up with their blog. Were they as friendly as they seem on tv. Did you know them prior to them being more public or is this a new friendship?
ReplyDeleteI'm curious why Kelly had to be compared to Michelle? 'Like Michelle'. How about ' like any mother' she can carry a conversation while keeping an eye on her little ones, no matter how many. It seems to me, that you are holding up the Duggars to be the ' be all, end all'. I LOVE the duggar family, but please don't put them on a pedestal. For me it starts to take away from who they are and what they stand for, IMO. I see too much (idolizing in a way), of wanting to 'look' like them, dress like them, and wanting to shop where they shop. Just be who you are. For those who 'want' to be like them, isn't that what they are doing? Being themselves? My opinion, and thats all it is, is that some things are getting to be too much. I just want to enjoy reading about the Duggars and enjoy watching them grow and prosper! This family inspires me in other ways that are not materialistic and I want to continue being inspired in a Godly manner! Thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely, thanks for sharing, God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see pics of you and your Mr Handsome :) How long have you been courting?
ReplyDeletethank you so much for the update on the bates!! i really admire this family! ellie, your mr handsome seems to be mr good catch! he's good with children and you make an adorable couple!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Bates family update! What college is Tori going to and what is she studying?
ReplyDeleteWhy do you call Ellie's boyfriend Mr Handsome - is it his surname? Why don't you call him by his first name like everyone else? As he is a grown man it seems kind of childish to refer to him in this way. By the way great blog - you are doing a great job and it's nice to see all the pictures of the Bates family.
ReplyDeleteIt's very common for people who run blogs to have "nick names" because they don't want their names or family names to be all over the Internet. Even Lily and Ellie limit what info they share about themselves on this blog. I am sure they call him by his first name outside the blog. :)
DeleteAnd things seem to be changing for you and Ellie too! Sounds like Ellie and her Mr Handsome are also enjoying their season of courtship! Congratulations. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the Bates! It's neat that you get to spend time with them
ReplyDeleteLOVE the Bates family!! They are such wonderful, genuine people, and I enjoy seeing photos and watching them all interact with each other.
ReplyDeleteDo Ellie and Mr. Handsome have chaperones? How did they meet?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lily and Ellie, for an update on the Bates.
ReplyDeleteEllie , you are so pretty! You and you Mr. Handsome make a cute couple. Btw what is his real name???
ReplyDeleteI have always thought the same of Kelly Bates - that she is so very gracious, and a reflection of God's love.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear Ellie's and Mr. Handsome's story! (Cute name for him too!) ;)
ReplyDelete@Chloe
ReplyDeleteHi Chloe,
Oops! Didn't mean to do that. Thanks for letting us know. Glad we have loyal readers like yourself to keep us on our toes. :)
~Lily and Ellie
Ellie is captivating, she is a mysterious looking beauty!
ReplyDeleteIt is so heartwarming to see a nice man making some fun time playing with the children.
ReplyDeleteLily and Ellie, thank you for the update on the Bates Fam! I love them and it's so neat learning more about them.
ReplyDeleteHey.,love the Duggar and Bates family both Lily and Ellie you do a wonderful job on the blog
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates on the Bates family :)
ReplyDelete-Brittany
It is so nice to see updates of the Bates and that you were able to go visit them!! Thanks for all theses pics!!! The thing I love most about your blog are all the photos and updates!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEllie, don't worry about all these comments about your Mr Handsome!! Anyone on the internet seems ready to argue, state their opinion on things, stick their nose into other people's private affairs and defend themselves! They are starting to take you on. I am here for updates on the Duggars not on you however curious I am! :) God Bless!!!
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 16,
Thanks for your concern. Feel free to send us an email (DuggarFamilyBlog@gmail.com) or post a comment if there are specific comments that you believe to be derogatory, insulting, or in poor taste, and we will reevaluate them. :)
Blessings,
Lily and Ellie
Callie is so sweet, she looks like she jumped right off the pages of Lord of the Rings.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the update on the Bates family. They seem to be such a sweet, loving bunch, and it's fun to see what's going on in their lives. So fun that you got to visit them. By the way, I have a friend who is having twin girls and I suggested the names Lily and Ellie for her girls.
ReplyDeleteI love y'all's family!! God has blessed y'all with so much, and y'all are doin a wonderful job with the kids. The younger ones are so adorable!!! 😀
ReplyDelete