Happy 1st Birthday, ALPHA!

Yep, today is my first cria's first birthday. Wow, it's so hard to believe it's been a whole year since ALPHA was born. I'll never forget that day. Princess delivered right before my very eyes! I wanted to weigh him when I was at the ranch yesterday, but ended up not doing so. I'll weigh him next weekend.

Time flew at the ranch. When I arrived, Rick & Pati were cleaning the fields. I grabbed a rake and helped them finish up. We also moved some girls around between fields. Some of the little girls that had been weaned from their moms many months ago went back in the same field with mom. Some tried to nurse (and yes, my Vanilla Sundae was one of them!), but the moms weren't going for it. They all have new crias now. Carmel Sunday and Vanilla got a good neck wrestle going. Mom won when she pinned Vanilla's head on the ground. :) Overall, everyone seemed to be happy in their new surroundings and had adjusted by day's end.

It is so cool to sit and watch the main field. There are so many new crias in a variety of colors. They each seem to have their own little group of friends. Little Pati Cake hangs out with Sonny, Cher, Christopher and Kona. I'm sure Soleil (Whitney's little girl now has a name) will join them, as they are all so close in age. Wow, is she a knock-out.

After the chores were done, we celebrated 3 birthdays with almond champagne (yummy). November 3rd was Zsa Zsa and Eva's birthday, and November 4, ALPHA's. Rick, Pati and I also discussed our vision of an Alpaca "co-op", of sorts. We are talking about sharing a big piece of land with 4 families of Alpaca breeders. There are so many benefits from this type of arrangement. I am very excited about it. We're looking probably about 3 years from now. There is alot of planning that goes into such a venture and it will be fun doing the planning.

Felix got a special gift from his Aunt Jackie and Uncle Bob. A new, personalized, halter. This boy now has a wardrobe! I've posted a photo. He looks so handsome. Speaking of handsome, there is also a new photo of ALPHA that Rick took yesterday. That's my junior herdsire :)

AND, a new photo of Pati Cake at 2 weeks old. This little girl is pretty independent and wanders off from mom often. That's O.K., because she responds when mom calls. I know I'm partial because she's mine, but Pati Cake is stunning!!!! She is JET BLACK, with great conformation and long legs. I am so thrilled with her and am so proud of what Princess has produced in the last year. Let's see, she was bred to Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador (Fred) with ALPHA, again with Pati Cake. Should I breed her to him again? ABSOLUTELY! They are a match made in heaven. She'll be bred again in December.

I helped with treats, which is always the highlight of the day for me. Princess ate from my hand, as did Manda Smith.

The young boys now have new roommates. Zion and Avalanche have been moved in with Felix, ALPHA, Harrison, Aerosmith, Nicholas and Luther. I think Duke may have moved there today.
Everyone seems to be getting along well.

Next weekend I plan to go to Alpacafest West although we won't be showing any Alpacas. The "snots" are still going around and it's not worth taking the chance. Rick is volunteering and will be promoting his farm. I will be promoting the First Annual PACAribbean cruise. It will be nice to see other farm's Alpacas and maybe meet some new people. My office will be closed on Veteran's Day, so maybe I can go to the ranch and see my "kids" that day.