> At a Glance
> – Drake, 20, Ella, 19, Duke, 17, Emmie, 16, and Crew, 7 keep life full for the Fixer Upper stars
> – Parents juggle Magnolia empire while insisting on a “normal childhood”
> – Why it matters: Shows how celebrity parents strive to keep family life grounded amid fame
Chip and Joanna Gaines built a renovation empire on TV, yet at home they’re simply Mom and Dad navigating homework, driving lessons, and backyard chickens.
The Gaines Crew
**Chip and Joanna wed in Waco, Texas, on May 31, 2003, and now parent five children spanning two decades in age.
- Drake arrived first on Feb. 5, 2005, named after the Drake Hotel where the couple honeymooned
- Ella Rose followed on Oct. 20, 2006, already dabbling in baking and design
- Duke was born May 23, 2008, known for his comedic timing
- Emmie Kay entered the world Jan. 5, 2010, co-running an egg-and-produce door-to-door venture
- Crew, the surprise caboose, completed the family June 21, 2018
Balancing Business & Bedtime
The Gaineses admit their parenting style mixes structure with freedom.
Chip told News Of Los Angeles in 2018:
> “I thought, ‘Oh, I’m gonna be a wild parent,’ but I feel a little bit like a drill sergeant sometimes.”
Joanna echoed the importance of normalcy:
> “When we wake up in the morning, I think we’re normal. But then you go to Target and it’s definitely different.”
Both parents emphasize kindness, teaching their kids daily to “be kind to themselves, to each other, to neighbors and especially to those who look like they are alone,” Joanna said in 2019.
Milestones & Memories
- Driving days: Joanna teared up when Drake got his license, joking she wanted to hire a chauffeur
- College send-off: Drake headed to campus in 2022, prompting Joanna to reflect on shifting family dynamics
- Sweet 16: Ella earning her permit left Joanna “trying not to cry like a big fat mama baby”
- Young entrepreneur: Emmie created her own cookie recipe, dubbing them “Emmie Kay’s chocolate chip kisses”
Kid-Run Businesses
| Child | Venture | Product Line |
|---|---|---|
| Ella | Kitchen bakery | Banana pudding, cookies |
| Duke | Scrap-metal salvage | Funded gifts for charity |
| Emmie | Farm-fresh sales | Eggs, produce |
Key Takeaways
- Five children keep Chip and Joanna busy far beyond TV cameras
- Drake’s college departure signals a new era for the family
- Ella and Emmie already explore food, design, and farming passions
- Duke channels his dad’s humor while learning generosity
- Young Crew brings fresh wonder, inspiring Joanna to “see the world like Crew sees it”
Through every renovation and business launch, the Gaineses keep family first, proving even celebrity parents wrestle with letting go.
