Looking Through Photos of Pa-Pa
Some made me laugh, some made me cry, all made me smile.
It's been a week since we said goodbye to Ladd's dad, my father-in-law Chuck. It was a beautiful celebration of his life---his six grandchildren were there, Ladd gave the eulogy, and we got to laugh and cry and laugh again with extended family while telling all the stories about Chuck that were 100% him. We also got to look at photos, and I wanted to share some with you.
Abs of Steel
Handsome Devil
College Sweethearts
The End of a Drought
Married Graduates
Spiffy Plaid Pants
Busy Social Calendar!
Granddaughters
Givin' Orders
Happiest Working
Pa-Pa, Todd, and Suzie
Father and Son
Ladd is feeling the loss of his dad. He'll miss their conversations about the old days, and always loved hearing Chuck's perspective about all things agriculture. He's glad they got to spend so much time together in recent years.
Classic Pa-Pa
Graveside
How I'll Remember Him
I'll always have this picture in my mind when I think of Chuck. On his horse, holding the reins, surrounded by his family (and cattle!) I'm not sure what was making him smile in this particular photo, but I like to imagine that he'd just heard there was rain in the forecast. 😊
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.
Ree Crowned a Vanilla Yogurt Winner!
See All the Photos of Sofia at Paige's Wedding
Sofia Scott Joined Ree and Ladd at Church
Go Behind the Scenes on Drummond Ranch!
