New Bates Family Pictures
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.
New Bates Family PicturesNew Bates Family Pictures
