If you’ve ever walked through Hunters Creek Village and heard two enthusiastic goldendoodles “chatting” from behind a front window, chances are you’ve met Millie and Traveller. They take their role as neighborhood greeters seriously and they’re just one part of the lively, welcoming Compton household. Inside, you’ll find Carrie and John-Hays Compton and their three daughters, Annie (9), Molly-Hays (7), and Tess (5), who have fully embraced the charm of Village life. The girls attend Memorial Drive Elementary, and being able to walk or bike to school is something the family never takes for granted.

Carrie’s Houston roots run deep. A Second Baptist alum, she grew up in Spring Valley in the home her parents built in 1984, a home filled with memories and now only minutes from where she’s raising her own family. Today, both her parents and her sister’s family live in Hunters Creek, keeping the circle wonderfully tight-knit. John-Hays, on the other hand, brings a bit of Mississippi to the mix. Born and raised in Meridian, he moved to Texas after graduating from Ole Miss and knew immediately he had found his place. The two were introduced by friends in 2012, married soon after, and put down roots with the purchase of their Hunters Creek home in 2014.

That first home was filled with joy and milestones, but as their family grew and the pandemic brought everyone under one roof around the clock, it became clear they needed more room. With Carrie’s background in construction, the choice felt natural: rather than move away from a neighborhood they loved, they would rebuild their dream home right where they started. In 2020, they moved out and temporarily relocated to W. Dana Lane, where daily walks to school became a treasured part of their routine. In 2023, they stepped into a new chapter in a home designed for the way their family loves to live.

Life in the Compton house is active, creative, and full of tradition. Annie plays competitive tennis at River Oaks Country Club, while Molly-Hays and Tess can reliably be found on the soccer fields with SBMSA or Bayou City Lobos. All three girls adore Spotlight Theater and art classes at the Houston School of Art & Design. At home, a current obsession has taken hold: mahjong. Whether in the living room or on vacation, the four Compton girls can often be found huddled around a table playing a spirited game. The Comptons are also deeply rooted in their faith community. They are active members of Christ the King Presbyterian, where John-Hays serves as a Deacon, and both teach elementary Sunday School.

And then there’s Halloween, the holiday that may as well be considered a competitive sport in the Compton household. Since Annie’s first Halloween, John-Hays has committed to coordinating family costumes every single year, and he doesn’t just participate, he *transforms*. Past themes include A League of Their Own, Curious George, The Greatest Showman, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and even The Zombies cast. February, on the other hand, is a month-long celebration, with all three girls and Carrie sharing birthdays that month.

Travel is a shared passion. California ranks high, and the family selects a new spot each year—beaches, art galleries, coastal walks, and a lighter jacket blissfully replacing the Houston heat. Orange Beach, Alabama is a traditional trip that brings extended family together on a coastline they love. Aspen is a regular stop too, especially with Carrie's brother and sister-in-law living there, and the girls happily mastering the slopes.

Carrie is a partner at Resolution Companies, a multifamily development company founded by her father in 1980. She oversees pre-development and construction and takes pride in continuing the legacy of creating communities across the Houston area. John-Hays recently launched the Houston branch of Current Power Technologies, joining forces with his close friend, Grant Winston. After the storms of recent years, he saw a real need to help neighbors feel more secure with generator installation and service. And yes, the family jokes that everyone should “buy their generator from John-Hays!”

Ask Carrie what she loves most about life here, and she’ll tell you it’s the simplicity and sweetness of childhood in a community that feels like family. Kids can bike to school, neighbors know one another by name, and generations stay connected, some even returning to raise their children in the same neighborhood they once roamed themselves. For families just settling into the Villages, the Comptons offer one simple piece of advice: lean in. Join the walks to school, linger at the Farmers Market, learn your neighbors’ names, and enjoy the small-town charm that makes this community special. A golf cart, they admit, certainly adds to the fun, but it’s the people that make it unforgettable.