This summer has presented its share of challenges for Ree Drummond and her family, as detailed in a recent heartfelt post on her popular Pioneer Woman blog. The Food Network star provided an open and honest account of her husband Ladd’s demanding summer on their Oklahoma ranch in Pawhuska.
“Ladd has had…a busy, slightly rough summer. I think I say this every year, but the work, the early mornings, the unrelenting grind, the exhaustion…it has been a little much,” Ree shared with her readers. She playfully noted that these were her observations, as Ladd himself would likely downplay it, simply stating, “it’s what he does and it’s part of life.”
The relentless nature of ranch work this season led Ree to contemplate the sustainability of their current lifestyle. “A couple of weeks ago, after watching him limp inside, covered in dust and blood after a particularly long day, I actually said the words, ‘I don’t think we can do this anymore.’ It was partly in jest, but also maybe a little bit not,” she admitted, revealing the genuine concern she felt for her husband’s well-being.
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Ree and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
Ree further elaborated on her worries, saying, “How much harder can you work, how much longer can you do this, are you okay, is what I was really thinking.” This candid glimpse into their lives offers a relatable perspective on the pressures faced even by those who seem to have it all.
However, Ree’s blog post wasn’t solely focused on the hardships. Primarily, it served as a joyful recap of her daughter Paige’s recent surprise engagement. She beautifully articulated how these moments of family happiness make the tougher times more manageable.
“So to see him smiling and walking around and enjoying the celebration of his second child and the man she’s gonna marry…well, it made me feel a little better about things. 😂” she wrote, highlighting the emotional uplift the engagement brought. “And summer will be over soon!” she added with a touch of optimism.
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Ree and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
Paige, 24, got engaged to her boyfriend, David Andersen, on August 4th, marking a joyous occasion for the Drummond family. The anticipation of wedding bells on the ranch brings back memories of another significant event – her older daughter Alex’s wedding. It was during Alex’s wedding preparations that Ladd experienced a serious health scare, reminding everyone of life’s unpredictable nature.
Leading up to Alex’s wedding, Ladd was involved in a truck collision with his nephew, Caleb, while responding to a fire near their property. The accident resulted in Ladd breaking his neck in two places. Despite the injury, he bravely attended Alex’s wedding wearing a neck brace, a testament to his resilience and commitment to family. This past health challenge puts his current summer exhaustion into a stark context, emphasizing the physical demands of his life.
Currently, Ladd has welcomed extra help on the ranch in the form of Paige, who returned home in January to work full-time. Ree shared in a June interview with PEOPLE, “It’s really great to have her home.”
Ree clarified that Paige is living in the house that previously belonged to Ree’s in-laws, Chuck (Pa-Pa, who passed away in 2022) and Nan (who passed in 2018). This provides Paige with independence while keeping her close to the family ranch.
While Paige’s long-term plans are open-ended, Ree cherishes having her daughter back. “In terms of how long she’ll stay or whether it’ll be a period of her life or forever, we’re not really trying to predict or think about it too far in advance,” Ree explained. “I love that she’s here. She’s the first of our kids to really come back and work on the ranch full time.”
In a May blog post, Ree described Paige’s hands-on involvement in ranch work: “getting banged up, scratched, bruised, and clobbered.” However, Ree proudly told PEOPLE that Paige is more than capable of handling the demanding work. “She’s very strong, not just physically, but she’s got a pretty strong heart and personality, so it’s fun to watch her kind of jump in and learn the ropes — not as Ladd’s kid, but as one of the cowboys basically. Cowgirls, I should say,” Ree laughed, celebrating Paige’s integration into the ranch workforce.
In conclusion, this update from Ree Drummond offers a glimpse into the realities of ranch life, the unwavering strength of the Drummond family, and the joys that punctuate even the most challenging times. From Ladd’s demanding summer workload to Paige’s engagement and return to the ranch, it’s clear that family and resilience remain at the heart of the Pioneer Woman’s world.
