Waco, Texas, used to be just another dot on the map between Dallas and Austin. Now, it's a pilgrimage site. And while everyone talks about shiplap, the real engine behind the Magnolia empire isn't just home design—it’s the Chip and Joanna Gaines family dynamic that keeps people hooked.
Honestly, it's kinda wild how they've managed to stay relevant for over a decade. Most reality stars burn out in three seasons. But the Gaineses? They’ve built something that feels more like a legacy than a brand.
As of early 2026, life on the farm looks a lot different than it did during those early Fixer Upper days. The toddlers we used to see running through demolition sites are becoming adults. Drake is 21 and deep into college life. Ella, who just turned 19, is basically her mom’s twin and has already started making her own mark on the family business. Then you've got Duke at 17, Emmie Kay at 16, and the "surprise" finale to the crew—young Crew, who is 7 and arguably the star of Joanna’s Instagram.
The Evolution of the Gaines Kids: From Demo Day to Real Life
It’s easy to think of them as the little kids helping Chip carry a piece of drywall, but that's not the reality anymore.
Drake, the oldest, has been out of the house for a while now. He’s 21. Think about that. He was just a kid when the show started, and now he’s navigating the world as a young man. Joanna has been pretty open about how "bittersweet" it is to watch the nest empty out. She recently shared that Drake has actually taken a liking to cooking—much like his mom—and spends his college nights whipping up multi-course meals with his girlfriend.
Then there’s Ella Rose. She’s 19 now, and if you follow the Magnolia updates, you know she’s the one following most closely in Joanna’s footsteps. In late 2025, she actually joined her parents for a new spinoff called Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House. It was a huge moment. For years, Chip and Jo kept the kids mostly out of the spotlight to give them a "normal" upbringing, but Ella stepping into a renovation project felt like a passing of the torch.
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The middle kids, Duke (17) and Emmie Kay (16), are right in the thick of those high school years. Duke is often described as "Chip Jr." because of his sense of humor. He’s into baseball—a huge deal in the Gaines household—and has been seen helping with farm chores since he could walk. Emmie, on the other hand, is the baker. If you’ve ever tried the cookie recipes in Magnolia Table, you might have tasted her influence. She even has her own signature "Emmie Kay’s Chocolate Chip Kisses" cookie.
And then there’s Crew.
He’s 7.
Because there’s a nearly ten-year gap between him and the next oldest sibling, his upbringing is fundamentally different. He’s the one still "helping" in the garden and going on "nature walks" with Joanna. He provides that grounding element for them—a reminder of why they started all this in the first place.
Why the Chip and Joanna Gaines Family Brand Still Works in 2026
People ask all the time: Is it fake? Is the "wholesome" thing just a marketing ploy?
If you look at the facts, they’ve actually turned down massive opportunities to keep their family life private. Back in 2018, they famously walked away from HGTV at the height of their fame. Why? Because the kids were getting older and they didn't want the cameras to be the only thing their children knew.
That wasn't a business move; it was a parenting move.
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In January 2026, the couple made headlines again, but not for a new rug line. They donated the largest gift in Baylor University baseball history to help build "Magnolia Field." Both Chip and Joanna are Baylor alums, and baseball is the "glue" for their family. Chip actually played in college before his career took a turn, and both Drake and Duke grew up on the diamond.
Recent Milestones at a Glance:
- January 2026: Largest donation in Baylor Baseball history.
- Late 2025: Ella Rose makes her professional debut in Fixer Upper: Mountain House.
- 2025: Chip turns 51, and Joanna (47) celebrates 22 years of marriage.
- New Hobbies: The couple recently took up ballroom dancing to "keep things fresh."
Living the "Slow Life" in a Fast World
Joanna often talks about the "rhythm" of their home. It sounds fancy, but basically, it just means they eat dinner together.
Even with a TV network, a magazine, and a Target partnership, they still live in that same farmhouse in Crawford, Texas. They didn't move to a gated community in Los Angeles. They stayed where their roots were.
Joanna recently mentioned that she gets home every day around 5:30 PM. That’s when the kids get back from sports and school. For her, the kitchen is where the work stress dies. She cooks, they talk, and the Magnolia machine stays outside the front door.
Of course, it’s not all perfect. There are always rumors—Reddit threads speculating about "secret divorces" or business tension. But honestly? Every time those rumors peak, the couple pops up at a local Waco event or a Baylor game, looking just as chaotic and connected as they did in 2013. They’ve survived the "reality TV curse" by simply refusing to let the TV be their reality.
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What's Next for the Gaines Clan?
With the older kids moving into adulthood, the Chip and Joanna Gaines family is entering what Jo calls the "bittersweet season."
The focus is shifting. They are doing more projects in Colorado, likely as a way to have a family getaway spot as the kids scatter for college and careers. The "Mountain House" project wasn't just a show; it was a move to secure a new home base for the next generation.
If you’re looking to apply a bit of that "Magnolia" magic to your own life, it’s not actually about the paint color. It’s about the boundaries.
Practical takeaways from the Gaines family model:
- Prioritize the "Table": Whether it's a 5-course meal or takeout, make the evening meal a non-negotiable family check-in.
- Learn Together: Chip and Jo recently started taking dance lessons and roller skating. They believe "unlocking a new thing" together prevents a relationship from stagnating.
- Know When to Walk: They left their hit show when it threatened their family peace. Sometimes, "more" isn't better.
- Involve the Kids (Slowly): Notice how they didn't push their kids into the spotlight until they were nearly adults. Letting children find their own interests (like Drake’s cooking or Duke’s baseball) builds genuine adults, not just "celebrity kids."
The "Waco Dynasty" is changing, but it isn't going anywhere. As Drake and Ella start their own lives, the foundation Chip and Joanna built seems more solid than any house they’ve ever flipped.
If you want to keep up with their latest projects, your best bet is following the Magnolia Journal or catching the new mountain series. Just don't expect them to share everything—they've learned that the best parts of family are the ones the cameras don't see.
Actionable Insight: To replicate the Gaines' grounded lifestyle, start by auditing your "home rhythm." Identify one time of day where phones are off and the focus is entirely on the people in the room. Whether it's a 15-minute garden walk like Joanna and Crew, or a messy kitchen session, consistency is what builds the "glue" Chip always talks about.