Well, well, well  . . . it is beginning to look like a REAL barn!

The roof is up and shingled.  There are now boards up on all sides (although the photo shows one side not completed).  We had to put up our alpaca weather vane – a gift from son, Ryan, last Christmas.

So what’s the next step?  There will be a lean-to which will eventually become home to the girls.  We will also need a concrete floor in the main building.  I guess some doors will be needed also. So much more to be done . . .

In the meantime, visit us every other weekend at the Easton Farmer’s Market on Depot Street.  We will be there tomorrow – August 30th.

The ‘boys’, specifically Franklin and Lee, were wrestling this morning and getting vocal.  I grabbed my camera on my way to see what they were doing.  The playful banter is never as rough as it used to be prior to Franklin getting fixed.  Our elder resident, Rusty, doesn’t like the rough housing and runs and spits when the other two get close to him.  I think they do it purposely and then giggle to themselves when Rusty runs away.  Silly youth!  Franklin is curious about the camera so I got some close-ups of him.  Alpacas each have an individual personality.

Since I was out visiting the ‘boys’ with my camera, I just had to get a few shots of our 3 week old, Summer.  She isn’t very sure of me yet and keeps her distance (I wish I had a better zoom lens).  Her mama, Alaurea , continued to graze and was not phased by my presence.  She is our most friendly alpaca and seems to enjoy a neck rub now and then.

Our mini schnauzer, Mason, is accepted by the pack but keeps a safe distance most days.  At times he roams the field with a watchful eye and presence of mind to know alpacas could stomp him at any minute.  Today he chose to watch from the wall.

I hope you all enjoy my photos!

Raise the roof!!! Yes, the roof is going up. Thank you, Scott … I bet working with Padre was more fun than a trip to Aruba.
After the roof, we begin the lean-to which will house the ‘girls’.

On another note, Mariah and CeCe are honeymooning in Westport with their hubbies, Teddy and Straight Up. We can’t wait until they are back at Kave Rock. Looks like two more cria next July! Yes, it is an 11 1/2 month gestation. Of course we are also looking forward to our next cria due in late October. Mama, Eclipse, is just starting to ‘show’.

Stay tuned for more Barn Raising updates!

It takes a village … in addition to the front and back walls, the steel beam has been welded in place. It was welded by my talented and energetic 84 year young father-in-law, John Medeiros. I was told he climbed the ladder and crossed the staging determined to get the job done. While I regret I have no photos of him actually doing the work, I am glad I wasn’t home to photographic it since I would have had my eyes closed! I have climbed the staging myself several times and although I am not terribly afraid of heights, I am cautious and not comfortable climbing the ladder. Watch our blog for more BARN updates!

Charlotte Summer Rayne … aka SUMMER… is adjusting well to the world. Tomorrow she will meet the rest of the pack!

We are proud to announce a 15 lb female cria born at 6:45 this morning!

When I checked in at 5:00 AM there was no sign of an impending birth. When Dave got
up around 6:45 he noticed all the alpacas hovering around in a circle. Alaurea had just given birth!
We quickly got the others into the adjoining pen so mom and cria could bond. We got the new baby cleaned
up and watched to assure both were healthy.

This is Alaurea’s 6th cria and she is an awesome mom. In fact, her last girl, CeCe, was born on this day
THREE years ago!

It’s our very FIRST birth here at Kave Rock Farm so we are overjoyed watching each tiny milestone. The wobbly legs
and unsteady gait make us laugh. She has already attempted running only to be stopped by a fence she didn’t notice!
Luckily she bounces back well!

We’ve had 11 1/2 months to think of names but she doesn’t fit the choices we had. She’s is still unnamed
so feel free to send us suggestions!

There have been so many other events, plans and jobs going on here at Kave Rock that the BARN has taken a
recess. This week, however, Dave has begun erecting rafters. The barn should have a roof very soon!

Around 8:00 PM last night, I glanced out the window and saw the alpacas grazing in the back field. Rosie and CeCe looked a little on edge but the alpha female, Alaurea, seemed pretty calm. I saw an alpaca walking along the edge of the woods and it was then I realized that animal was too dark in color to be one of our females. It was, in fact, a deer. CeCe and Rosie approached cautiously and the deer ran in the opposite direction. I’m not sure how the deer got into the enclosure but she probably ambled through the deep woods. She got a little spooked when she tried to run out toward the house and was trapped by fences. Eventually she ran back into the woods. The girls went back to grazing and will most likely welcome new friends again this summer.

Alaurea, our 11 year old alpaca, throws beautiful fawn females. We have two of her daughters and hope to breed them this summer. Her due date is 20+ days away but by looking at her photo you can see she’s got quite a girth. Our youngest female alpaca, Rosie, is 8 months old but she was born at our mentor farm since we were not prepared for a birth here. So, Alaurea’s cria will be the FIRST one born here at Kave Rock! We will keep you posted!

Munroe Feed & Supply (200 Fairview Ave – Rehoboth) will be holding their Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 21st from 8-5. Kave Rock Farm will be there (9-1)with some newly sheered alpacas. Stop by and feed the alpacas, see a chainsaw carving demonstration, enjoy a hay ride or have your face painted all while listening to Cat Country (11-1).