Ladd and I are still basking in the memories of an awesome (and smooth!) wedding weekend. Well, I should say that I am basking in the memories...while Ladd is going about the business of working cattle and running the ranch, haha. But he had a really great weekend, and we both agree that for all the pre-wedding preparation and work, we're both grateful everything went so well and that we were all able to enjoy one another and have a blast.
The wedding was meaningful and special—even more so because it wasn't lost on any of us how different Alex's wedding day could have looked, given Ladd and Caleb's accident in March. The fact that they were both able not only to be at Alex's wedding, but to also be pretty much healed and able to enjoy themselves, was a total gift! I made it a point throughout the weekend to stop, even if just for a few seconds, and give thanks. I'm not letting this blessing pass me by, man!
Many of you know that Ladd broke his neck in two places in the accident on the ranch, and while one fracture was repaired surgically, the second fracture has had to heal over time—and Ladd has had to wear a neck brace 24/7 since returning home from the hospital. Honestly, he's been pretty compliant in terms of wearing the brace, because the neurosurgeon (shout-out to Dr. Kalani in Tulsa!) made it clear that the consequences of not wearing it could be pretty serious. That said...I wouldn't say Ladd's been necessarily compliant about taking it as easy as he should or reducing his workload, as it's almost summer on the ranch and there's no way Ladd can stay in the house when there's so much work to do. But at least he's wearing his brace!
Over the past few weeks, with the wedding weekend getting closer and closer, Ladd started mentioning that he wanted to walk Alex down the aisle with the brace off. He'd do whatever the doctor said, Ladd insisted, but he was sure hoping the doctor would sign off on it. He and I went to Dr. Kalani the Thursday before the wedding for a CT scan and a checkup, and the doctor said that his neck is about halfway healed, and that Ladd could take off his brace for the brief moments at the wedding that mattered. (But only if he put it right back on!)
Soooo, ever the dutiful (sort of) patient, Ladd wore the brace to the wedding rehearsal...
And he wore the brace to the rehearsal dinner...
Good job, Ladd! (Don't mind me in that photo above...my brother-in-law, Tim, made me cry. I'm writing a separate post about that. Ugh, Tim!)
When it came to seeing Alex in her dress for the first time, walking her down the aisle, and taking wedding photos, Ladd took the brace off. I've had a few folks comment that he looks stiff and uncomfortable in photos, but it's more that he's making a concerted effort not to turn his head or move his neck much. (I told you! Good patient! Sort of.) He's not in any pain at all, he's just trying to keep his neck still.
(Dr. Kalani, please don't read the next few sentences.) Ladd also wound up taking off the brace during the first dance with Alex and the toasts at the reception. He wanted to make sure he had a few photos in each of the important moments that didn't include the brace, and while I considered arguing with him, I realized it was his call. Spouses gotta pick their battles!
So shortly after the toasts, Ladd put the neck brace back on and wore it the rest of the night! Then, like clockwork, he put on his boots and worked cattle Monday morning, haha. And this is the plight of a rancher's wife. Very little can keep these men home. Not a broken neck (Ladd), and not a broken leg. (Josh...another story for another time!)
Anyone have any bubble wrap I can borrow?
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
