The Best Christmas Ever!

Yes, I am apologizing, again, for not writing for quite some time. With the holidays, and moving my office, life has been crazy. The office is now all moved, the phones are being moved today, and Christmas Day, and Christmas dinner, is a wonderful memory.

Before I share my experiences, I must tell you about my favorite Christmas gift. But, first I must give you some background. When I wanted to buy Star, her owners had not yet registered her. Rick helped the owners through the process and told them she had been named Star. But, because Star is a registered farm name and couldn't be used, the owners registered her as Smokin" Antoinette. Her dam's name is Antoinette de Bolivia and her sire's name is Smokin' Antonio. She was still Star to us. I had told Rick, many months ago, that I'd like to change her name to Rainbow's Stargazer, which can be done through the Alpaca Registry at a hefty fee. BUT, I am still paying for her, so I couldn't change her name until I own her. Then, if she's had a cria, it is almost impossible to change her name. I doubt that I will have her paid for by the time she has a cria. WELL, last Sunday Rick, Pati and I exchanged Christmas gifts. One of my gifts from them was a box with a tag on it that said "To Mom, thanks for adopting me". Inside the box was an updated registration reading RAINBOW'S STARRGAZER!!!!! Yes, that was the best Christmas present ever. Rick and Pati are the most amazing people I've ever known and I am so grateful to have them as my friends and mentors. As soon as I got home, I framed her registration and hung it on my special Alpaca wall.

In spite of all the craziness, I would not miss going to the ranch every weekend. I think the days I spend there is how I keep my sanity. So much has happened (good things) in the last few weeks. Pati Cake was 2 months old on December 20th and is healthy, happy, and growing like a weed. She now weighs 46.4 pounds. I had an opportunity to get my hands on her fiber when she was being weighed and she is silky soft.

On December 15th, my no so little girl, Vanilla Sundae, had her first date with Show Me The Money (Mo). She was ready! It took her no time to cush and Mo got the job done! We spit tested her last weekend, and she spit real good. :) The same day, Princess had a date with Snowmass Jericho's Conquisador (Fred) and did her normal spin 3 times then cush. Princess and Fred do so well together (Alpha & Pati Cake), I didn't want to change herdsires with her.
We spit tested Star, and she ran and spit pretty good. She was bred to Fred in August, so hopefully she's 4 months pregnant. She is getting huge and it doesn't just look like fiber growth.
We spit tested Meg, as well. Still can't read her. She was, also, bred to Fred.

Felix is doing great and is a love bug, most of the time. Alpha is great, too, and doing very well walking on a halter. We've noticed some silver strands in his blanket again. It's going to be interesting to see what color he is by his first show in March 2008 in Phoenix. Two of their roommates went to a new home on Christmas Eve. Lancelet and Duke went to a family that trains Llamas for shows. They have 2 daughters that got the little boys for Christmas.

Over the past few weekends, Rick and Pati have been doing a lot of toenail and teeth trimming. I am a spectator, or help a little with holding the Alpaca. I'm sure not ready for teeth trimming, but I am going to ask them if I can try my hand at trimming toenails.

2007 has been a great year at All American Alpacas. Lots of healthy crias, lots of girls and spectacular boys, in a rainbow of interesting colors and patterns. I can't wait to see what 2008 brings!

Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year....