Bringing Up Bates

The Bates' first grandchild causes much excitement for everyone and prompts the girls to plan a baby shower in the series premiere of this reality show spotlighting a family with 19 children living in rural Tennessee.

Erin has sleepover with her siblings so that she doesn't feel so lonely in her house where just she and her husband live; Zach and Whitney prepare for parenthood; and Michaella and her chaperone surprise her boyfriend with a visit to Texas.

The whole Bates clan packs up and heads to the great outdoors! If you think packing for your family is hard... try packing for 21!

In the season 2 premiere, the family celebrates their special tradition, ‘I Love You Day,’ with surprise gifts (and surprise guests) for the whole family. Gil and Kelly Jo host a special ‘game night’ just for the couples and everyone joins together to prepare for Alyssa’s baby shower!

Gil, Kelly Jo and Michael head to Chicago to see Brandon’s parents. Brandon corners Gil for a ‘heart to heart’ talk in the most unlikely of places! Meanwhile, back in Tennessee, Erin and the kids rush to redecorate their parent’s bedroom before Gil and Kelly Jo get back.

Erin and Chad meet with Dr. Vick to discuss the risk of having a stillbirth and the precautions they must take for the rest of her pregnancy. Later, the couple invites Zach, Whitney and baby Bradley over for dinner while the older boys square off against the younger ones in a giant Airsoft battle!

The past year has been one of enormous change and growth for the Bates. In the Season 3 premiere, the Bates clan rallies together to help Michaella finally find the wedding dress of her dreams. Later the family braves a stormy outdoor wedding for Kelly Jo's sister, and celebrates Gil's dad, Papa Bill, with an awesome 4th of July birthday party!

With Michaella's wedding quickly approaching, Kelly Jo and Gil wager to see who can get in shape to look their best for the big day. While Kelly Jo enlists Tori to motivate her and help with workouts, Gil finds his coach, Lawson, uses a more hands off approach to whip him into shape.

With the big wedding just days away the family is busier than ever. Gil and Kelly take the kids to the park for some rollerblading and playground exploring. Erin hosts a laughter filled candle making party for Michaella and her bridesmaids. Nathan, Lawson, and Trace take Brandon on an outing to the skating rink, but an accident on the ice could put the wedding in jeopardy.

It’s a season of change for the Bates family with new loves, new careers, and a new grandbaby on the way! But when Gil undergoes a serious medical procedure, it forces everyone to contemplate what the future holds for them all.

It’s Trace and Jeb’s birthday and there’s only one rule: no girls allowed! The brothers, who share a birthday and a special bond, plan a party for Bates boys only complete with go carts and ice cream! Meanwhile, Erin and Chad travel to South Carolina to speak to and encourage a group of young girls about female empowerment.

The whole family arrives at the Bates house to celebrate their favorite holiday, ‘I Love You Day’ AND there’s someone new at the table – Tori’s new beau! The family is happy to see Michaella and Alyssa return home, as well as Nathan’s girlfriend, Ashley, who arrives for the celebration to have a very important conversation with Kelly Jo and Gil. Later, at the family’s celebration someone in the family makes a very special announcement!

The Bates are back! It’s a season of new beginnings for the Bates family. The family travels to North Carolina to pick up Warden, Jackson, and Isaiah from sleepaway camp but not without getting a VIP tour from camp counselor and Tori’s boyfriend, Bobby. Could a future courtship be on the horizon for Bobby and Tori? While at camp, the Bates have no idea what they’re in for when they they’re met with a giant scream-inducing swing and some wild water activities! Meanwhile, Lawson’s focused on his music career. He heads back to the studio to record a duet with country artist, Emily Ann. Later, the whole family gathers together for a special dinner and an unexpected guest stops by to surprise the family with a very big announcement!

Lots of plans are being made in the Bates household! Kelly Jo is about to turn the big 5-0, so Erin calls a meeting with the siblings to plan for a surprise party. But will the younger kids be able to keep it a secret? The Bates Boys, meanwhile, inspired by their time at basketball camp try to figure out if they can install a real court in their yard. While Lawson, who has big plans for his concert tour, invites his band over for a practice in the living room. Last, as the older girls are moving away and going to college, it’s time for the boys to learn how to cook. Erin invites Warden, the Bates budding Chef, over to her house, to teach him how to cook her favorite recipe.

Not only is the Bates brood growing, but they're all maturing and reaching new milestones! As the family comes together to celebrate Katie's turning 16, it's time for her to finally join in on the Bates girls' tradition of receiving a purity ring. With the entire family together, Kelly Jo and Gil get to share the good news that they've secured a new location for their congregation, Mama Jane gets to meet her new great-grandbabies for the first time, and Papa Bill, Gil and Lawson hit the links to see which Bates is the best golfer.

It’s Wedding time – but who is walking down the aisle? Love is blooming for the Bates, with Carlin finding a “special friend” in Evan and Tori and Bobby deepening their bond. And even the married couples have big news, especially Erin and Chad. Will their family be growing by two?

Carlin and Katie hit the road to spend some quality time with Carlin’s Songwriting Suitor, Evan, and his family. Evan and the girls have some fun at an indoor skating park and the young couple work on a special song for Evan’s family. Will Carlin pass the parent approval test and is a future courtship on the horizon? Meanwhile, Jackson is the next Bates family member in line to get his learner’s permit. Will he prove to be a better driver than his sisters, Josie and Katie?

Bobby and Tori are making plans for the future! After he graduates from college, Bobby is hoping to move from Florida to Tennessee to be closer to Tori. Before he makes a final decision, he heads to Knoxville to interview for jobs and look for a place to live. And in an effort to add a little structure to Jud and Jeb’s roughhousing, Kelly Jo takes the boys to a martial arts class. Later, Bobby and Tori discuss their future timeline with Gil and Kelly Jo over dinner. Is an engagement on the horizon?

Love is in the air for the Bates Girls! But which daughter is next in line to tie the knot? And will Gil be able to “let go” of his not so little girls? Now that Evan has the green light to officially court Carlin, he puts his “courtship proposal” plan in motion. Will Carlin get “clued in” to Evan’s big surprise for her? And before Bobby moves to TN, he makes a pitstop at a jewelry store in Florida. Meanwhile, it’s a milestone Birthday for Josie. She’s turning 18 and the entire Bates family, including Alyssa and Michaella, are in TN for her surprise party! Will suitor Kelton be on hand when she makes a wish? And later, the Bates have their first official church service in their new congregation space!

Michaella and Brandon have moved out of their tiny one bedroom apartment and into a new rental house, so Kelly Jo and Erin pay the young couple a visit and lend a hand with decorating their new space. But will the ladies be able to to settle on a design style that will appease Michaella AND Brandon? Back in Rocky Top, Chad’s decided to leave his job at the scrapyard and has offered up his position to Bobby. But after spending the day shadowing Chad at work, will Bobby be the right fit for the position? After work, Bobby meets up with Tori for an ice cream date and to discuss their future together. And back in Chicago, Kelly Jo, Erin, Michaela and Brandon hit up a bowling alley and engage in some friendly competition!

Bobby’s finally making the big move to Rocky Top so he can be closer to Tori. Before he touches down in TN, he stops by a Florida jewelry store to pick up Tori’s engagement ring. But when will Bobby actually “pop the question” to his true love? Meanwhile, Tori and a few of her siblings attempt to cozy up the camper before Bobby moves in, but will plumbing issues put a damper on his move in date? And later, Bobby’s parents visit the Bates family home for the very first time.

The love keeps growing in the Bates Family! Newly engaged Josie is planning her fall wedding, Tori and Bobby are expecting their first child, happily married couple Zach and Whitney are renewing their vows, and Carlin’s still head over heels for Evan! Meanwhile, Gil and Kelly Jo spend some time with Tori and Bobby in Nashville and experience a 4D ultrasound for Baby Kade. And unbeknownst to Carlin, Evan meets up with Gil and Kelly Jo for dinner to ask for her hand in marriage, but is Gil ready to let go another one of his daughters? And later, it’s a joyous and emotional time for Whitney and Zach, when her parents and the Bates family join together for their vow renewal.

Josie’s found her dream wedding dress online...there’s just one dilemma - the bridal designer’s showroom is located in New York City. Can she convince Kelly Jo that a trip to the Big Apple is a priority, so that she can try on the dress? And now that Evan has permission from Gil and Kelly Jo to propose to Carlin, it’s time to shop for an engagement ring! The young couple break tradition and decide to look at wedding rings together. Later, Kelly Jo, Josie, Whitney and Carlin head to Manhattan to take in the sights and hopefully find Josie a wedding dress. But when Josie tries on her dream dress, will it be “the one?”

Now that Evan’s picked out an engagement ring for Carlin, there’s one more big thing on his to do list, figuring out a proposal plan! He meets up with Erin and Kelly Jo to brainstorm ideas on where he should pop the question to his true love! Meanwhile, Josie and Kelton have settled on an outdoor space for their wedding. But will pending rain put a damper in planning the perfect ceremony? Last, Erin and Chad stop by Zach and Whitney’s house, after learning that Whitney had a miscarriage. Together the couple’s offer one another support, and help plant a tree in memory of the baby.

After their fairytale wedding, Carlin and Evan head off on their honeymoon with a stop in romantic 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.

Ever since Whitney, Carlin and Erin have started their online dress business, it’s been non-stop! They’ve been selling out of dresses and staying up all hours to ship out packages! Given their rapid expansion, the ladies are working on moving into a new work space. Meanwhile, Katie puts her cosmetology skills to the test when Michaella stops by for highlights. As the sisters catch up, Katie reveals that she has a crush on a new guy! Now that Erin’s expecting baby #4, she heads to the doctor for an ultrasound. How will Erin and Chad juggle all of their work responsibilities with another baby in the mix? And it wouldn’t be a Bates family cookout without a family member revealing some big news! Will Carlin and Evan’s pinata surprise be a baby bombshell?!

New parents Josie and Kelton are bringing home baby to a brand new place and the first time homeowners call in a few family favors to complete renovations on their fixer-upper. Meanwhile, Carlin, Erin and Whitney recruit Trace’s “friend” Chaney to model for their online dress boutique. Later, Trace’s blossoming relationship with Chaney is put to the test when Jud and Jeb are chaperones for their date!

Join us in celebrating six years and nine seasons of laughs, loves, and family.

Spring is a time of new life and hope... and for the growing Bates brood it’s no different. In this special we’ll see the new ventures, new love and celebratory moments that keep the Bates flourishing.

Josie’s business is thriving, but she and Kelton deal with heartbreak after a miscarriage. Now that Michaella’s almost a nurse, Kelly Jo leans on her for advice about her health.

Katie goes deep into wedding planning mode whle Lawson invites his girlfriend's parents over.

Lawson goes shopping for an engagement ring while Zach and Whitney work on their new property.

Chad and Erin meet with an ultrasound tech while Katie readies herself for a big move to New Jersey.