Remembering The Ratties

This month we lost our last little fancy rat, Mimi. Between 2005 and 2011 I managed to take care of seven different rats, each with it's own personality. We are done caring for ratties now, but I love to look back on the fun I had with them.

This post is to honor each of those little fuzzy beings.

Gwen and Greta - the two that started it all!
Summer 2005

Gwen and Greta
Spring 2005

Greta with a tasty treat
Spring 2006


Greta, Mona, and Pooky
Spring 2006

Pooky (on shelf), Xena (left), Bina (right)
Summer 2008

Mona and Bina
Summer 2008

Bina, Xena, and Mimi
Summer 2008

Mimi
Fall 2010

Christmas Eve View of Kamiak Butte

Beautiful view of Kamiak Butte from my Dad's property on Christmas Eve.

Snowshoeing Mount Spokane

Driving up Mount Spokane Park Dr. to the parking area.

Trail 130 up to Bald Knob.

Mount Spokane!

A map along the trail. Now we know where we're going!

At the loop junction. It began snowing as we started up the trail. Snowshoeing in the snow is so fun! Although next time we go I hope there are clear skies so we'll have a good view.

The beaten down trail. Snowshoes and cross country skis. We met many people on the trail, some big groups and a few loners that looked like they were running on snowshoes!

Ryan loving the snow shoes.

Snow monster!

Admiring his creation - the snowshoe poles made perfect eye marks for the snow monster.

Having fun in the snow. I love every season, we always discover something to do in the outdoors! It feels so good to be wandering a new trail in the snow, it is different than in the height of summer, it feels so pristine covered in snow.

The picnic shelter on Bald Knob. There were six tables and a nice stone fireplace where you could warm up or cook a lunch. There is a nice view from this spot when it isn't snowing! We only rested for a few minutes before heading back down the trail to the car.

Ryan walks through the field on Bald Knob back to the trail.

The ski / snowboard hill we walked along coming down from the top. One part of the snowshoe trail was so steep we decided to walk over to the adjacent ski trail and walk along the edge until we hit the snow shoe trail again further down the hill. It was beautiful with a light snow coming down.

Snow scape on a tree.

Snow shoe track.

Sun through the snow.

Another portion of the ski hill adjacent to the snowshoe trail.

Suebee waiting for us back at the trail head. This car and our blizzak tires love the snow too!

Click here to watch a short video of us snowshoeing on Mount Spokane:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAeTundeAFI


Merry Christmas!
The Souzas

To Find Our Place of Being

To Find Our Place of Being

Martin Challis

Who will lead us when we do not lead ourselves?

Who will know us when we do not know ourselves?

Who will love us when we do not love ourselves?

Who will trust us when we do not trust ourselves?

No one.

When we name what gets in our way of leading.

We find the courage to see what is true.

When we name what gets in our way of knowing.

We find the wisdom to shape our mind.

When we name what gets in our way of loving.

We find the heart open to what we feel.

When we name what gets in our way of trusting.

We find the will to move beyond our fear.

We come to find our place of being

And others know this, through us.

Souza YouTube Channels

Aloha!


Here are the links to Ryan and my YouTube accounts where we like to post videos of our various adventures. Ryan's channel posts videos about machinery, tools and cars. Amanda's account posts videos about the outdoors, animals and other random fun.

Ry - Souz4402
http://www.youtube.com/user/souz4402


Manda - BackpackerRose
http://www.youtube.com/user/BackpackerRose


Mahalo for visiting our sites!
The Souzas