Washington & Oregon Day 4

This was a rare trip for us to engage in some retail therapy. Usually, our baggage is pretty full (since we don't often check baggage) before we even hit a single store, so we don't get to do much shopping. However, Rich realized we could check in three free bags on our return home, so we made it a point to hit a few of our favorite retail outlets.

First up, was a day with Uncle Joey at IKEA...where we excitedly realized that they've added a candy buffet to their snack session! This is one thing we tend to go nuts doing, since we live on an island that lacks one. :-) (Again, see the 'easy to please' note from the last post.)

Then I did some serious damage at the Auburn outlets...which oh my goodness, could be my favorite mall ever (it's just the right size, clean, modern and has great stores). I'd like to say that as usual, Rich bought way more than me, but ha ha...for once, that may not be true. ;-)

If you know me, this picture is no less shocking than a nude would be. 

We also got to visit Joey's new Seattle house-to-be, and in true waytooexcitedtowaitiuntilescrowcloses fashion, we found a way to break in access the interior of the home beforehand. And Lordy...what an adorable, cozy gem it was. I'm semi-jealous already, and from that point forward started fantasizing about our future move to the Pacific Northwest (note: I do this at nearly 100% of our vacation destinations).

Since Joey works for Metro parks, he took us to the very best park his city had to offer...and I guess Ryan thought it was well, okay, I guess. We spent nearly an hour in the freezing pitch dark night playing around on this zip line and then inhaling three legendary Proletariat pizzas (it was good, but I'm still going to have to say Kona's own Bianelli's takes the cake).

Just testing the safety of the line for Ryan...again and again and again.