Details, Details, Details!

Saturday the 26th was National Alpaca Farm Day sponsored by AOBA (Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association). There were exhibits all across the country. Some were done at people's farms and some like us got together as a group. We were lucky because we were able to put it on at The Virginia State Fair at their new fairground at what used to be The Meadow. That is the farm where Riva Ridge and Secretariat were born and raised by the Chenery family.

Kevin and I trailered up early Saturday morning with Portfolio and Honey. As you can see by the pictures, we were in a large tent out by where all of the animal exhibits and contests were being held. This was not an Alpaca show, just an exhibition to promote Alpacas. This was the first year it was held at the Fair. We set up a table with brochures, pictures and some of Artemus' many ribbons he has won in the past.

Alot of people came through during the day and our Pacas were quite popular. Probably because Portfolio was the biggest Paca there and Honey was making lots of cute squeeking sounds. He became known as the talking Paca.

We handed out business cards and flyers, answered lots of questions and networked with the other Paca ranchers.

We will be going to a show on October 15-16 in Lexington at the Virginia Horse Center. We are taking Portfolio and Annie's Choice our young female.

Alpaca Farm Days at the State Fair

Alpaca Farm Days at the State Fair

Cria Cuteness-HHF Tipperary @ 1 week

Just a few more pics of the Tipster. Being nosy about what mom is eating, look its mom's butt, hey, I have an itch, oh, look a wall, let me lick it.

Bottom pic is Whinnie and Wizard who are totally fascinated with him.

Cria Cuteness-HHF Tipperary @ 1 week old

Isn't he something else? As of yesterday he weighs 22 lbs, he has gained 10 lbs in 6 days. Today was his first day back with the herd since his surpise early entry into the world. Everything is going very well, the other girls are careful around him, especially since momma Caitlin gives them the stink eye if they even look at him the wrong way. She is really something, last night she hocked (yes GL, hocked, we don't hork here in the South) a big loogie on my Dalmation Spot because he was standing on the other side of their pen, she then proceeded to angrily stomp her feet and snake her head at him. It sure got his attention and he isn't easily intimidated.

We have decided to name him HHF Tipperary to honor our new friend T.J. who was such a huge help when we bought the herd. It would have been so much more difficult without his help. He is from Tipperary, Ireland and has a great brogue. It also helps that both Kevin and I have lots of Irish heritage.

Cria Update

A couple of new pics of Little Dude. Caitlin is still nervous when too much is going on, so I only snapped a few. Isn't he adorable?

He is nursing well and getting stronger and steadier by the minute. The vet is coming tommorrow to take give him a tetanus shot, some vitamin shots and draw blood for selenium levels and IGG. He will also look him over to make sure he is healthy.

We Haz Cria

Surprise, surprise, surprise as Gomer Pile would have said. I got home, then went out to feed a bit before 7:00 PM. I look out and what do I see, a fuzzy white cria. He was running around and being really cute. He was born sometime this afternoon. We weren't exactly prepared quite yet so did a quick shuffle to move Caitlin and little Dude into a private area. Pictures aren't great will get more tommorrow.

I am a Grandma!

Cria Watch Starts Now!

Here are the proud parents to be. Top pic is momma Caitlin and the bottom one is daddy Impact. She is due on 9/23/09. The good thing is that Caitlin is a very experienced momma because I am getting nervous. We are setting her birthing area up and I am making sure I have all the necessary supplies. One good thing about my job, I can call out if necessary.

Okay, I am starting a pool on the birth like Fernvalley did. I need date of birth, time of day (early morning, mid-morning, afternoon, etc) and sex of cria. In case of a tie, give me a weight as well, keeping in mind that a cria weighs between 15-25 lbs. We do have scales and it will be weighed.

Just some new pictures

Picture #1

Meet my daughter Audrey. She is the light of my life and has always been such a joy to me!

Picture #2

I have decided that the reason everyone has been so freaky is because of Mr. Moon.

Picture #3

Mr Spunkman showing off the moon and his beyoootiful self on a lovely evening.

Picture #4

Graceland (aka Gatordog), she is just so cute. Notice she brought her bone with her. That is her chair, she almost doesn't fit anymore.

Last picture

A visitor on the back porch. Is a bit fuzzy because he was on the other side of the screen.

Some Baby Pictures

After looking at Fern's beautiful baby pics last night, I remembered I did have a couple of baby pics of the Spunkman. He was 5.5 months old at the time. What a cutey he was and of course, still is.

There is also a pic of my daughter Audrey and my Chuckybird, she would have been about 8 or 9 months and Chucky would have been about 28. Don't you love the brown corduroy couch, ugly as hell but about 9 feet long and so comfortable.

The last two are of my boy Spot, guess which one is him? LOL! He was about 2 at the time this was taken. Very handsome boy! The hounddoggy pic is Wilbur, doesn't he have the cutest little bitty face ever? We rescued him off of the median strip of our local interstate.