34 Fun Throwback Photos of The Gaines Family

Loving life! It’s been a wild ride for Chip and Joanna Gaines after meeting in 2001 in Waco, Texas, and setting out to make a life together. Keep reading to learn more about the Gaines family and see photos of the memories they've made.

The Kansas native and New Mexico-born carpenter tied the knot in 2003, and share five children, Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie Kay and Crew.

Shortly after getting married, the pair began building a home in Texas — which included their first business ventures, Magnolia Market and Magnolia Homes. They rose to fame nearly a decade later when they landed their own TV show, Fixer Upper, in 2012. Their family, however, has always come first.

“At the end of the day, I love Jo more than anything in the world,” Chip told E! News in a March 2020 episode of In the Room.

Once the series hit HGTV in 2013, the duo’s empire began to take off. They relaunched the market alongside a bakery on a 20,000-square-foot grain barn in 2015 — with food trucks and a nursery on the premises — called the Silos, before announcing in 2017 that the show that started it all would be ending with its fifth season.

The duo stepped away from the cameras later that year with the final episode airing in 2018, but Chip and Joanna didn’t let up when it came to their Magnolia brand. They opened Magnolia Table restaurant in February 2018 and Magnolia Press coffee shop in November 2019.

“Opening a coffee shop felt symbolic for what we hope people find when they come visit us in Waco — a space to be inspired and simply savor the time they’re spending with family and friends,” Joanna wrote on her blog in January 2020. “In a world where everything feels rushed, there’s a familiar and worthwhile pause waiting for us in a good cup of coffee — and chocolate cake — which we also serve at the Press!”

The pair, who have published eight books between them, also have a line of home products at Target. In July 2021, they launched their own streaming channel called Magnolia Network, available via Discovery+. Six months later, the network debuted on cable on the channel once occupied by DIY.

Though the couple have said they sometimes miss the quieter, early days when they were flipping houses without cameras following them, they’re also thankful for the platform that allows them to showcase other creators and craftspeople.

I would say I’m jealous of those moments that Jo and I both experienced before this amazing opportunity presented itself, where it was just like us just being normal,” Chip told Entertainment Weekly in July 2021. “The one thing I’m so proud of is the opportunity to highlight all the men and women out there doing this very hard, very artistic work that a lot of times kind of goes unnoticed.”

Scroll down to see their journey through the years — and their sweetest family moments.

Baby Jo

Too cute! Joanna (born Joanna Stevens), pictured here with her mom, was born in Kansas but later moved to Texas with her family.

Trunk Show

In the couple's memoir, The Magnolia Story, Joanna shares this sweet shot from her fourth-grade trip to the zoo.

What a Stud!

Chip was born in Albuquerque in 1974 and raised in Dallas. A true cowboy at heart, he spent a lot of time on his grandfather’s ranch in North Texas while growing up. Before heading off to Baylor University, where he earned a marketing degree, Chip posed for this 1993 Grapevine High School yearbook shot.

An Unexpected Encounter

Though Chip and Joanna both attended Baylor University, in Waco, Texas, they did not meet until after graduating, when Chip brought his car to the local Firestone shop where Joanna worked at the front desk. In 2002, they celebrated their engagement (above) at Billy Holder's Ring Shop in Archer City, Texas.

Getting Hitched

The happy couple tied the knot in their beloved Waco, Texas, May 31, 2003. The backdrop for the big day: the Earle Harrison House, which Joanna describes in their book as "a historic mansion that looks an awful lot like the place we had our first date."

Growing Bunch

The couple (pictured here inside their shop, Magnolia Market, with son Drake) are also parents of Duke, Ella, Emmie Kay and Crew.

Becoming Household Names

In 2012, television producer Katie Neff, who had seen Joanna's design blog, approached the working mom about shooting a reality TV show, Joanna explained in The Magnolia Story. When Joanna shared the news with Chip, he assured her the call was a scam. Luckily, the interior design guru followed her gut and returned the producer's call. A year later, the Fixer Upper pilot aired on HGTV.

Business Is Booming

The couple also runs Magnolia Homes, a construction business with a mission of “making Waco beautiful one home at a time,” according to their website. They later opened Magnolia Market at the Silos, which sells everything from home decor items to jewelry to food.

'Are You Ready To See Your Fixer-Upper?'

In this shot, Chip and Joanna put the finishing touches on a Fixer Upper home before the big reveal.

'The Magnolia Story'

In 2016, Chip and Joanna published their first book, The Magnolia Story. In the memoir, the couple reflect on the major milestones that led to their success, including their first meeting, their wedding and their first house-flips in Waco, Texas. In this shot, the lovebirds stop by Barnes and Noble in NYC for "an impromptu book signing," Chip wrote on Instagram October 19.

Family Matters

"A crooked sign, a brave little girl, adult onesies, Don Williams radio, and an old teddy bear... These are the good ol' days," Joanna posted of this November 2016 shot of her brood.

Shiplap for Everyone

The Fixer Upper stars celebrated the season four premiere in November 2016, by wearing matching ugly Christmas sweaters inspired by their show and watching it on a football field with their team.

Corn Field Days

“Nothing like a good game of hide-and-go-seek in the corn fields 💚#texasforever,” Joanna wrote via Instagram in May 2017.

Published Author

Joanna celebrated her husband’s book, Capital Gaines, in October 2017, by sharing a tribute to him via Instagram. “I am always proud to be Chip’s wife but today more than ever,” she wrote at the time. “I know this book was a true labor of love. Well done, Chip Carter Gaines!”

Ciao Bella

The lovebirds enjoyed a trip to Italy in November 2017, which included Vespa rides and a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Christmas Merriment

“This family tree gets me every time. Emmie asked why I always get so sad when we put this tree up and I told her it's a good kinda sad. I explained these memories on this tree are so sweet and time just goes by so fast,” the Magnolia Table author wrote via Instagram in November 2017. “This tree is full of firsts for each of us, many meaningful ornaments, and lots of handmade who knows what. It's my favorite and I treasure this time every year ❤️.”

Springtime

“Love conquered death 💛,” Joanna captioned an April 2018 photo of her two daughters, Ella and Emmie Kay.

Demo Crew

“We take #Demoday seriously in this family,” Chip captioned a photo of his four oldest kids helping out on set in April 2018. “I love my crew! #FixerUpper.”

Crew Gaines

In June 2018, the Gaines family welcomed their fifth child, son Crew. “One of my favorite pics a friend showed me after Crew was born. They couldn't wait to meet their new baby brother ❤️,” Joanna wrote via Instagram a few days later, alongside a snap of her four kids outside her hospital room door.

Boys Club

“Walked into this cuddlefest and my heart almost burst 😍,” the designer wrote alongside a photo of Chip, Duke and Crew snuggling in July 2018.

Holiday Magic

“Laundry and legos ❤️,” the mother of five captioned a festive snap of her husband and their two daughters in December 2018.

Hoppy Holidays

The Gaines family celebrated Easter in April 2019 by picking carrots from their garden together.

Farm Life

“Strawberries! 🍓,” Joanna wrote alongside a photo of herself picking berries with two of her kiddos in April 2020.

Spring Memories

“Two baby bunnies and a rock 😉,” the TV personality captioned an April 2020 snap of three of her little ones in the garden.

The Great Outdoors

“Play date,” Joanna captioned an August 2020 photo of her youngest son petting a horse.

Good Night's Sleep

The Fixer Upper star shared a selfie of her in bed with two of her kids. "Slept pretty good last night..." she teasingly captioned the photo via Instagram in October 2020.

Mini Mediator

Crew settled his parents’ dispute over changing a room’s “tongue and groove” in a January 2021 Fixer Upper: Welcome Home clip. “He knows the secret to life,” Chip said in the footage. “Always side with Mom. Always.”

Growing Up

Joanna shared a photo of her children during a typical night at home. "Older kids doing late night homework on the couch while the younger kids (who can't quite reach the cups) are messing around in the kitchen. It's fun watching these kids grow up," she captioned the photo via Instagram in March 2021.

#GirlDad

"You're the best kind of dad," Joanna captioned a sweet Instagram tribute to her husband on Father's Day 2021. "The kind that lets his daughters french braid his hair right before you take them shopping (even if the College World Series is on). We sure love you @chipgaines ❤️."

Fun With Flips

Joanna thanked her daughters for teaching her cartwheel skills in July 2021, writing via Instagram: "Barefoot in the grass and busting out some old tricks tonight. I'm sure I'll be feeling this in the morning."

A Momentous Day

Joanna reflected on the 18th anniversary of the original iteration of Magnolia Market with a throwback photo shared via Instagram. "I woke up this morning with butterflies in my stomach. A feeling that returns to me every October 15th—the day we opened Magnolia 18 years ago," she wrote. "I can still hear the sound of the front door of that little shop opening, and the deep assurance that, despite how scared I was, I would never look back. Chip had pushed me to take a chance on something I believed in—so win or lose, I already knew I’d never be the same."

Autumn Adventure

Joanna shared a video of her youngest son exploring the outdoors in seasonally appropriate galoshes. "Crew is loving this beautiful fall weather!" she wrote via Instagram.

Running Buddies

The Gaines family took part in their annual Silo District Marathon — including then-3-year-old Crew, who ran alongside dad Chip at the start of the race. "Today kicked off our 3rd Silo District Marathon—and our 1st without my friend @gigrunewald. Thousands of runners gathering in Waco today/tomorrow to support cancer research," Chip wrote via Instagram, sharing photos from the day. "Me and the kids ran hard for you today, Gabe!"

Friendly Competition

“Doesn't get much better than Frogger on a Friday night 🐸,” Joanna wrote via Instagram in October 2022 alongside a sweet snap of Chip and son Crew playing an old-school video game in their PJs.

For more on Chip and Joanna, check out the stories below.

Joanna Gaines Loves Cooking With Her 5 Kids! See Photos of Her Stunning Waco Kitchen 

Joanna Gaines Learned So Much From Her Parents! See Rare Photos of Her Mom and Dad

Joanna Gaines Shares Photos of Gorgeous Living Room Transformation in 1930s Texas Home

This article originally appeared on our sister site, US Weekly.