Joanna Gaines just gave us a look behind the curtain. Usually, we see the perfectly staged farmhouse kitchens or the pristine gardens of Waco, but this week was about tacos, tide pools, and a whole lot of "unhurried time." The Magnolia founder recently hopped on Instagram to drop a gallery of snapshots from a family getaway to Mexico, and honestly, it’s the kind of content that makes you want to delete your email app and buy a one-way ticket to Cabo.
It wasn't just a highlight reel.
It felt more like a "blink and you'll miss it" look at the Gaines kids growing up way too fast. We’re talking about Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie Kay, and little Crew all in one place, which is becoming a rarity as the older ones start heading off to college and carving out their own lives.
The Mexico Magic: Sand, Spades, and Sunset Hues
The photos captured a vibe that was less "HGTV star" and more "overwhelmed mom trying to soak up every second." In one of the most talked-about shots, Joanna shared a scoreboard from a heated game of Spades. It was Drake and Joanna versus Chip and Ella. If you know anything about the Gaines family, you know they don't play around when it comes to competition.
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Why the location mattered
The family reportedly spent time in Sayulita, a spot known for its vibrant colors and surf-town energy. This isn't their first rodeo in Mexico, though. They’ve hit Tulum and Cabo in the past, but there was a specific intentionality to this trip. Joanna has been vocal lately about the "beautiful season of reflection" they’re in.
- The Pool Views: Several shots showed the girls, Ella and Emmie, lounging by an infinity pool that looked like it melted right into the Pacific.
- Crew’s Adventures: The youngest, 7-year-old Crew, was spotted strolling the beach with the kind of confidence only a kid with four older siblings can have.
- Authenticity: No heavy makeup. No shiplap. Just messy beach hair and the kind of smiles that only happen when the phones are tucked away in a hotel safe.
Facing the "Empty Nest" Reality
You can tell by the way Joanna captions these things that she’s feeling the weight of time. She’s mentioned before that with their oldest, Drake, already in his second year of college, the family dynamic is shifting.
"We explored, played, and rested," she shared. It sounds simple. But for a couple that runs a literal empire—retail, television, a hotel, and a magazine—"rest" is a radical act.
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People always ask how they do it. How do you keep five kids grounded when your face is on every endcap at Target? Chip joked in a recent interview that the older four were out "shoveling cow manure" at age six, while Crew is getting a bit of a different experience. But even with the fame, these Mexico photos show they’re still just a family that likes to play cards and eat ice cream at local shops like Helado Feliz.
What We Can Learn from the Gaines’ Getaway
It’s easy to look at these photos and just see a rich family on a beach. But look closer. There’s a strategy here that we can actually use in our own chaotic lives.
Limit the digital noise. Joanna has been a huge advocate for tossing the schedule out the window during vacations. They don't do "itinerary-heavy" trips. They do "unhurried" trips. If they want to hike, they hike. If they want to sit in the sand for four hours, they do that too.
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Celebrate the milestones. Whether it's Crew's first time snorkeling or the older kids being tall enough to tower over Chip, they document it. Not for the 'gram, necessarily, but for the memory bank.
Your Turn to Reset
If you're feeling the itch to replicate that Gaines-style relaxation, you don't need a private villa in Sayulita.
- Pick a "No-Phone" Window: Even if it’s just for three hours on a Saturday afternoon.
- Lean into the "Boring" Moments: A game of cards can be more memorable than a $200 excursion.
- Find Your "Mexico": Whether it’s a local park or a backyard tent, find a place where the "everyday grind" can't find you.
The big takeaway from Joanna’s rare peek into her family life is that time is the only currency that actually matters. The kids are going to grow up. The business will always be there. But the chance to see the sunset over the ocean with all five of your children? That’s the real "fixer upper" project we should all be working on.
Start by looking at your calendar for next month and carving out one full day where "productive" isn't allowed on the menu.