Erin the Musician.

As many of you may know, 21 year old Erin Bates is quite the talented pianist! She began piano lessons at the age of 7, and she is now a distinguished musician who highly enjoys the piano. Erin has been attending Crown College of the Bible for the last 3 years to get a degree in Music Ministry, and she's only 1 a short year away from that goal. She has even been giving some of her younger siblings piano lessons over the past few years!

A few years ago, in 2010, Erin released her first CD of piano music, entitled Merciful and Mighty. It can be purchased here. Since then, she has been working earnestly, and her work has paid off--just this month, she released her second CD, Down Home Gospel! Erin's newest CD features "upbeat, hand clapping & foot stomping, Southern Gospel appeal".

Here Erin talking about her new CD and her music career in the video below:

Erin's latest CD can be purchased through the Bates family website, at this link. You can also hear some samples of Erin's beautiful music on the page!

What do you think of Erin's music? Do you plan or purchasing her CD's?

Happy 19th Birthday, Nathan!

Today is Nathan Bates 19th Birthday! He is Gil & Kelly's 5th child and third boy. What is Nathan up to these days? Well, he has completed his First Responder training and enjoys volunteering with the fire department. He is Gil's right-hand man in the family's tree service company and he is planning to get a degree in Biblical studies. Nathan has a lot going on in his life right now and he is blossoming into quite the man!

 Happy Birthday, Nathan!

Fun fact: Did you know that Nathan's given name is not actually "Nathan"? His actual first name is William and his full name is William Nathaniel Bates, but he goes by Nathan.