All Together Now

The gates have been opened...pens have been combined and the herd is getting along just fine!

(The girls and the babies)

Over the past week, the boys were introduced to each other. Our "little" boys are growing up and they were now allowed to play with the big guys. So Kal and Awan were moved into the pen with the other boys. So far, they are all playing very nicely together. They have shown who's boss and the herd order has been determined.
(Kal, Awan and Kigo)

(Melody, Bing and Spicy)

The girls were also put together. Star and her baby, Wea have been with Melody and her baby, Bing now for a few months. This morning, the gate was opened up and the pastures were combined. Wdamo, Spicy and Geneva are now hanging out with the other ladies. It was an easy transition (at least that's what we are seeing). So, that's the news on the pastures these days. Exciting stuff huh? I know...hard to contain your excitement. But honestly, it is exciting. It's nice to know that everyone is getting along. After all, alpacas are herd animals and they feel safe and happy in numbers.

(The new canaries)

In other farm news, we have some new friends. 12 feathered friends to be exact. So now we have 12 alpacas and 12 baby canaries. The aviary that sits near the pool has been empty for years. My dad used to have finches and a pair of canaries. But after a devastating loss, it has been empty. It's nice to see some new friends in there.


The gardens are looking good. Well, my parent's garden looks good. The only crop that is doing well for me are the zucchinis. Other than that, it's a whole bunch of weeds, bugs and a buffet for the deer, rabbits, squirrels and groundhogs. Seriously...why do I bother?

(By golly, there IS a cucumber plant in those weeds!)

The pumpkins look good so far. The plants came up perfectly but I do see a herd of 7 deer out there every evening feasting on something. Better not be the blossoms. Grrrr.


I am still pregnant. Every day seems like the longest day. I have had days of regular contractions, all the signs that labor is near and then it stalls. Leaving me tired and cranky. I know that pregnancy is a wonderful time and IT IS. BUT the end is not. I'm ready to meet this little boy and hold him in my arms. My sister, Andee, was kind enough to fit in a quick photo shoot of my pregnant self and my boys. She did an amazing job. And she managed to fit this in between packing for her vacation and a week of afternoon thunderstorms. Pictures were taken on the farm and I love them. I'm so glad we got the shots.


(38 weeks pregnant)

(Garrett and his little brother-to-be)

I hope you had a great weekend. Enjoy your week!
-Leanne

Pumpkins Are Planted & Fingers Are Crossed

For the past few years we have planted a field of pumpkins. Our first few years were amazing. We had huge crops with so many pumpkins we didn't know what to do with them! However, the last two years have not been successful. We're not sure why. Was it weather? Too wet? Too dry? Bugs? Deer? Groundhogs? Not sure. But once again, we planted the pumpkins.

(The crew in the pumpkin patch)

(The little boys playing in the dirt)

Row by row, my boys, husband, Andee and her boys helped my parents plant the seeds. I just watched with my camera in tow. I'm too big to bend over these days. Along the way, we found lots of golf balls growing...my two year old nephew thought this was very funny.

(My Dad and Brady getting the rows ready)

(Winding the string in...shortly after this picture, my dad got out
the power tools to wind it up. Smart man.)

(The reason I can't bend over to plant this year)

(Andee and Shea...notice his dirty feet..I always say a little kid with dirty feet is a happy kid)

(Shea's reaction to the tractor today.
A half hour later he was fine with the tractor.
Who knows....Two year olds are weird)

(Cousins having fun in the dirt)

There is a little patch of dirt down in the meadow. At one time, it was a row of huge weeping willow trees. Over the years, they were falling down and eventually had to be cut down. In this part of the meadow, the ashes of the two people that lived here are sprinkled. Mayo and Jeanne Dupayage (known to me as Uncle Mayo and Aunt Jeanne) lived in the house where I live now. Growing up next door, they were like grandparents to us. Never blood related, but as close as can be. This year we decided to plant a few pumpkins in that patch of dirt.

To get it ready, my dad hopped on the tractor and tilled. It scared the you know what out of little Shea for some reason, but after the tilling, an old horse shoe came up to the surface of the dirt. Maybe Uncle Mayo sent us some good luck this year. So, horse shoe is hung up and fingers are crossed. Let's hope for some awesome pumpkins :)

(Dalton and the good luck horseshoe)

Hope you all had a good weekend!
-Leanne