Ree Drummond, affectionately called Riri by her family, has been savoring every precious second of a 10-day visit on the ranch from her daughter Alex, son-in-law Mauricio, and their adorable little girl Sophia. Ree describes this as their most “Sophiacentric” visit yet, filled with nonstop quality time from sunup to sundown. Much of the visit was spent in Ree’s cozy office, where she shared countless special moments with her sweet granddaughter, whom she lovingly calls Pookie. Meanwhile, Alex and Mauricio were busy packing up the car with all their belongings—and an impressive mountain of toys Sophia received for Christmas.

When the time finally came for the Dallas family to head back home, Ree admits she was doing everything possible to convince them to stay longer, even joking about putting their Dallas house on the market. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she joined the big sendoff outside. It wasn’t just Ree and her husband Lad saying goodbye; the family’s Basset hounds, Lucy and Shelby, were there too, quietly witnessing the bittersweet moment. Sophia gave her Papa’s hat a gentle pat and soaked up a few last moments around the house—a place she has filled with laughter and energy. Ree will miss seeing Sophia running through the ranch every day.

Though Ree tried to put on a brave face, the photos tell the true story. Sophia clung close to her grandmother, while Ree held on for one more hug, one more kiss—actually, what she called “400 more kisses”—and the heartbreaking little question from Sophia: “Riri, can I stay?” In the end, Ree let them drive away but reflected deeply on what it means to be a grandmother. She described it as the sweetest, purest love—a kind of magic that lets her see all her own children in Sophia’s eyes, but without the stress and worries of early motherhood.

While Ree was feeling all the bittersweet emotions of goodbye, Alex was sharing a lighter, funnier side of life with baby Sophia and her furry sibling, George. On Instagram, Alex posted adorable photos of Sophia and George sitting side by side on the living room rug. At first glance, they look like inseparable best friends. Alex even captioned one photo “besties,” capturing Sophia’s beaming smile as she leaned into George, her tiny foot resting on his leg as if she simply couldn’t get close enough.

But a closer look reveals the comedy beneath the cuteness. George, the golden retriever, is sprawled out with a perfectly stoic expression, gazing off at something else in the room—clearly unbothered by the toddler’s enthusiastic affection. In another snapshot, Sophia’s smile grows even bigger as she plays with one of George’s dog toys, flashing her tiny pearly whites. Meanwhile, George turns his head away, wearing the same calm, slightly distant look. Alex joked that the friendship might be just a little one-sided, but that’s perfectly okay.

Beneath the humor, though, the bond between Sophia and George is genuine and touching. Alex shared that Sophia’s biggest giggles usually come when George is nearby. The loyal dog has taken on a patient, gentle role around her, often quietly observing and lying peacefully beside her. His love is steady, unwavering, and silent—a constant presence in Sophia’s life.

These moments—the tearful goodbyes on the ranch, the goofy living room besties photos—paint a vivid picture of a family wrapped in love and connection. For Ree, Alex, little Sophia, and George, it’s a reminder that the sweetest stories often come from everyday life. A hug at the car door, a baby’s infectious laugh, a dog who stays close even when pretending not to care—these are the moments that define family.

For fans watching along, these glimpses offer a warm, comforting look into a family cherishing every stage of life, one photo and one goodbye at a time. It’s a story of love, laughter, and the bittersweet beauty of time passing—all captured through the lens of a grandmother’s heart and a toddler’s joyful spirit.