Crias, Crias Everywhere!

I'm getting a jump on my post this week. Normally, I seem to get them done by Wednesday. Life is great today, as I can, once again, see the hills in front of my house. They were buried in smoke from the Santiago Canyon fire most of the week. Thanks to cooler temperatures and a slight drizzle yesterday, things have improved. My heart goes out to everyone that suffered any loss in the many fires burning throughout Southern California.

When I arrived at the ranch yesterday, my little girl, Pati Cake, was running all over the place, followed by Sonny, Cher and Christopher. Yep, the youngest, my Pati Cake, was leading the pack!
Well, she was the youngest until noon. At right around 12, Whitney blessed Pati and Rick with a gorgeous, rose grey with white face, little girl. Although this was Whitney's 5th birth, Rick and Pati had never seen her deliver before. She's pretty sneaky when she goes into labor. And, once in labor, she delivers pretty quickly. But, we all witnessed this precious arrival. I know Pati and Rick are THRILLED, not only that Whitney gave them a little girl, but her coloring is stunning.
Her legs are really long, and she was having some issues with keeping them going in the correct direction. She, also, had a little trouble finding mom's teats. I don't know why, as Whitney has teats like saddle bags. This mom is loaded with milk.

We didn't do any spit testing today because of the air quality from the fires, and breeding has ceased until December 12th (so no crias are born while we are on our Pacaribbean cruise next October). I spent time in the field with my new baby girl, getting lots of pictures of her and her friends. She, Christopher, Sonny and Cher seem to be best buddies. Although, I did catch her a few times hanging out with Merlin's Majik. I have high hopes for those two when they are older. :) I think she may be kinda sweet on him already. Pati Cake isn't real keen on anyone getting too close to her. Rick was able to pick her up so I could hold her and get pictures. She is so soft, and SO BLACK!

Rick and I took Felix and Harrison for a walk, once the drizzle started and the air was better.
Felix greeted me with a little air spit :( Oh well, I guess Alpacas have good and not so good days just like we do. Once he was haltered, he did very well as did Harrison. We, then, haltered ALPHA and Nicholas and walked them. Nicholas had been haltered once before, in April, for shearing. He walked so well with Rick you would think he'd been haltered all his life. ALPHA did very well, also. We walked all around the perimeter of the fields so all the boys got up close and personal with the girls (through the fence, of course). I wonder if they remember any of the little girls when they were all together with their moms?

Next Saturday, Pati has a lady coming to teach spinning. I am so excited, I can't wait. And, next Sunday is my little boy, ALPHA's 1st birthday. Princess has made me proud with both crias she has delivered in the past year. She's done so well with "Fred" (Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador) that I plan to breed her to him once again, in December. My little girl, Vanilla Sundae, will also have her first date in December, with "Mo" (Show Me The Money). I know she's ready (heck, she's been ready since she was 6 months old - little Miss Fence Sitter during breeding!). Still aren't sure if Star is pregnant, although Rick said she's been spitting pretty good. Meg, not sure about her either.

Crias are healthy, moms are healthy and full of milk, and the sky is blue again. What more could I want?