Morning Walks

I have been really enjoying the morning walks Elle, Daisy and I take to the top of the mountain behind our house. It is a beautiful view and we all seem to look forward to it. Elle asks frequently, "Walk, Mama? Walk?". Sometimes we have to get bundled up. It has been chilly here some days. The hills after the rain are so beautiful though. It is truly a relaxing and refreshing part of my day. I thought the picture standing in Mama's shadow was so cute.

Daisy Mabel

It was a tough decision. They are all so cute. But we all finally decided on Daisy Mabel. A little black girl lab. She has been so much fun so far. She is the one in the middle of the 3 black labs together. She has made the perfect addition to our family.

Ventura County Fair Kids Day Rodeo

Aunt Andrea and Uncle Ron offered to take the kids to the kids day rodeo at the Fair to compete in roping, ribbon pull and barrel racing. So they all entered and participated in the activities. The boys had so much fun and can't wait to practice for next year. They all did and awesome job. Thanks to you Aunt Andrea!!! Elle wanted to play with the goat rather than get the ribbon. That was funny!

The 3 little kittens

We got 3 kittens from Aunt Andrea & Uncle Ron. The boys and Elle have been enjoying them very much. Burke named his Bullet, he is gray and white. Colby's was King originally but we figured out that he is a she so the name is now McQueen, she is long hair black and white. The last one Colby wanted to name Chicken, Mommy wanted Chick and Grandma Pam liked Chicken Little. So he is some variation of this name. He has white ears and is also black and white but with short hair. He is Daddy's favorite. They are doing well so far. We are trying to make them more friendly by spending lots of time with them. Laverne our other cat doesn't like them much but she will get over that.

Alpacas

Sierra and Cocoa she is very protective!
Rosie wants a kiss
Chelsea smelling before she takes a bite
Colby tries to feed Curtis (SAwyer) and ?
Curtis happer to get treats from the feeding bin.
Colby with Debra
Colby offers and apple to curtis again!

Wanna kiss, smooch!!!
Showing off the alpaca fiber.


Elle with Aunt Sharon, "Kitty".


The kids and i met Debra out at the Alpaca's last Friday. Kevin and Debra our cousins invested in 3 alpacas recently. One of their mama's gave birth 3 weeks ago to cocoa a little brown alpaca pictures with her mama Sierra. All of the alpacas have very different personalities that we soon realized when we met them. Curtis a little boy alpaca hadn't been shaved like the other last week so you can see all of his fiber. The rest were sheared last week and look a little scrawny now but still cute with their assorted hair-do's. Rosie and Chelsea were the most friendly and and willing to eat small bites of carrots and apples from us. We learned they have no top teeth and so all the pieces have to be very small. This also means they can't bite you really. Their only defense is to run so they tend to be very skittish animals. The fiber can be used to make very expensive yarn which is then knitted to make clothing. At this point there aren't enough alpaca to make selling the fiber profitable. The profit lies in breeding and raising the alpaca themselves. I took a picture of the fiber too. It is incredibly soft and warm. The alpaca are very curios and many of them give alpaca kisses by getting very close to your face like a kiss. I have to warn you though their breath is quite rank. The boys got a kick out of feeding them and watching them. Thank you Debra and Aunt Sharon for sharing with us.
Elle had fun watching them and has taken to the saying of "kitty" to every living creature she sees. Horses, alpaca, bunnies, cats they are all "kitty." With the exception of dogs, then she says "doggy". It is rather amusing.

Close country encounter

About 2 weeks after we moved in I accidentally left the door open. A male and female Finch (I think?) flew into the house and couldn't figure out how to get out. I had to help them. Colby had his friend, Dorian over that day. They were showing me their orange smiles!! So much fun. I am holding the male bird.