Last Monday, a surprise snowstorm (in the middle of a super mild winter) made for this picture out of our living room widow:
And Clara went outside and had fun doing this:
Fast forward about a week, and our view looks more like this:
And Clara’s sporting a different kind of outfit:
Yup, true to our anniversary resolution, we snuck off to Maui, Hawaii to celebrate finishing our book, our impending five year anniversary (in July), turning 30 (I will in March and John already checked that box in November), and any other celebration-worthy excuse that we could think of (Clara’s first four syllable words: escalator, helicopter, and anemone!). It’s actually the first time we’ve flown somewhere on a real vacation since our honeymoon to Alaska back in 2007, and it’s the first time we have ever announced that we’re taking a week off from blogging in the entire 4.5 years since we started this whole shebang.
We know – gasp!
We do plan to post a pic or a quick note here or there throughout the week about our little island adventures (and a few things that we wrote up to share before we left, like some small kitchen progress). And we lined up a pretty sweet giveaway (valued at nearly $500!) for you guys, which will go up sometime tomorrow (Monday) – although not necessarily at 10 or 2 (we’re 5 hours behind our normal schedule here in HI). But our main goal is to relax, unplug, show Clara a great time, and just generally seize the week that we’re here.
So we’ll return to our regularly scheduled home improvement programming next Monday and will just be popping in every once in a while until then (so please forgive us if we’re not actively answering comments). We can’t wait to come back refreshed, inspired, and ready to tackle everything from the cork floors in the kitchen to the three untouched bathrooms, the walk-out deck we want to build, our big carport-to-garage conversion, the crown molding and wainscoting we’re planning to add, a complete sunroom makeover, a total playroom makeover, and all of the other major projects mentioned at the bottom of this post that we chatter endlessly about when we lay in bed at night (yes, even here in Maui).
Oh and since Clara’s here with us we’ll have to share all the how-she-traveled and how-she-adjusted-to-the-time-difference details soon (maybe next week on Young House Life). Due to quarantine regulations, we couldn’t bring Burger, which is why he’s at home snuggled up to our house sitters (we have some friends and family members who are taking turns moving in to hang with him the whole time we’re gone). You know we call him and talk through the phone at least twice a day though, right? Heck, maybe he can somehow inspire our house guests to lay some cork flooring while they’re there (he’s a pretty persuasive chihuahua). Here’s hoping!
To any Maui natives or fellow vacationers: you better say hi if you see us out doing the whole dorky tourist thing! Just look for the girl whose legs are so pasty white that they actually look blue and there I’ll be.
And yes, my skirt is twisted about three inches too far to the right. I can’t be the only one who fights skirt-spin, can I?
Emily Gravitt says
I’m so happy for you guys! Hope you enjoy the trip. And don’t worry… I have pasty mom legs, too. I keep hoping that look will be “in” one day.
Anika says
Not to be redundant but you guy work 24-7 and I am so happy for you that you get some quality family time away from the blog and the temptations of other house projects. Try to truly unplug, and we’ll be eagerly awaiting funny stories and beautiful pictures when you return.
Kim S says
How fun! So happy for you guys…Hawaii is definitely on my list of “must-do” vacations, and I can’t wait to hear more about your trip when you get back! Enjoy your time off!
Crystal says
So happy for you guys to get a break! Vacations are the best inspiration and getting to spend the time with family is what it’s all about! Enjoy!
Lindsey says
While in Maui if you have time take the road to Hana… it’s worth it!
Jennifer says
You guys are the cutest, and such an inspiration. Enjoy :)
Sonya says
I’m supremely jealous, Hawaii is my favorite place on earth! Consider driving up to Hana if you get the chance, it’s gorgeous and the black sand beach is amazing! I’d say you guys definitely deserve a week off after 4.5 years! Have an incredible time and turn off the computer!!! ;)
Joanna says
Good for you! You guys definitely deserve a relaxing vacation!!
Amanda says
Enjoy! Happy Anniversary! We took a big trip for our 5th, too (Europe), and it was our first big vacation since our honeymoon as well! We’re so glad we did it!
We’re at 9 years this year, and instead of planning a big trip for 10, we’re getting new house and having a baby. Oh well! :P
Lara says
YEAH! Have a GREAT time!
Kari M says
stop blogging and enjoy every second with your little girls and hubby in hawaii!!
Lindsay B says
Hawaii is one of my favorite spots in the world! There’s such an amazing energy there. Have a wonderful time relaxing! You guys are overdue, and you totally deserve it!
April says
AWESOME!!! You guys deserve some RNR and what a gorgeous place! Hope you have a blast and look forward to the Hawaii pictures.
Shauna says
So relieved to learn that you are finally taking some time out for yourselves! Do enjoy!
Mary says
Have fun! I was just in Maui last week actually. I absolutely LOVED it! Good idea to go straight from Portland. I live in Florida, and the trip was SO long. You’ll see when you fly home! Enjoy! :)
Mallory @ R. Simple Life says
Is that Lahaina?! The “Fast forward about a week, and our view looks more like this:” photo looks just like the sidewalk I walked many times a day when I visited Maui. If it is where I think it is – you can ALMOST see the cottage on the ocean where I stayed!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We’re trying to explore as much of the island as we can!
xo,
s
Mallory @ R. Simple Life says
Ugh Lahaina is awesome! I’m jealous – have a cheeseburger at Cheesburger in Paradise for me and enjoy! You guys definitely deserve a little break.
Mariah says
Skirt spin is the worst..I fight it at work all the time. You are not alone! :) Carrying a shoulder bag that brushes against the hip always makes mine worse.
I thought of you this weekend when I finally dragged my little boring brown bedroom desk chair outside and spray painted it bright teal to match the pattern on our headboard fabric. Five light and even coats later it looks awesome.
Have a wonderful, well-deserved vacation! We can’t wait to hear about it when you come home.
Sandy says
Hideeho peeps. Ok, we live in a 1930 bungalow. We completely had it gutted and redone since it hadn’t been updated since the 1970’s. Yuck. The contractor let us pick one color for the whole interior which is just a Ben M off white. Since reading your blog I am ready (I think) to repaint due to flat used in every room and little kids grimy hands. My first instinct is to just paint it all the same color just satin and or semi gloss depending on the room, but in the color it is now. I’m just scared of color ! I love your first house colors and have written them down but….I don’t know ! One color throughout seems so safe and SAFE. Any advice? Can a house be painted one off white color throughout and be still cute? So many questions.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Just use color in your accessories (art , pillows, curtains, lamps) to add interest and give each room some pop/personality!
xo,
s
Petra says
Have fun! It’s always nice to take a paradise escape in the middle of the winter! Don’t worry about us readers and enjoy the sun
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
So excited to see you are getting a well deserved break! Congrats!
Early Happy Birthday to Sherry in March and belated birthday to John!
I’d love to bake you a batch of cupcakes for you to share with your readers…what do you think?
~Liz@HoosierHomemade
YoungHouseLove says
Mmm, we’re virtually enjoying those right now!
xo,
s
David W. says
Hope you three have a whale of a time and enjoy all the wonder and beauty of Maui. I definitely second all the positive comments on Paia and the friendly / beautiful people of Maui. Aloha.
Kelly says
Crazy, I’m in Hawaii right now too! On the Big Island. At the moment we are driving across the island from Kona to Hilo. It’s 4am. The hubs and his climbing partner are going to ascend their 50th and final state highpoint–starting with their feet in the sea this morning, biking to the visitors center on Maunea Kea and hopefully finishing in the snow of the summit of later today. Enjoy your time away!
YoungHouseLove says
Amazing! Have a great time!
xo,
s
Hannah says
Have a wonderful vacation! You guys can definitly use the break!
michele says
I’m so insanely happy for you guys! Have a wonderful vacation and stay away from the blog as much as possible.
Leslie says
AHHH I’m so excited for you! I’m in the middle of planning my honeymoon to Maui! I hope you share as many details as possible.
Maky says
Well deserved and about time, you guys! Makes me feel breathless seeing you take on so much stuff without any breaks! Time for some deep breathing now :D
Enjoy Hawaii!
emily says
My boyfriend and I are going to Hawaii at the end of April and I was so excited for you to find out that you snuck out there after Portland. As everyone else has said, I cannot think of any family more deserving of a vacation than the Petersiks and we’ll all have to struggle through the week without you. Have an amazing time, treat Clara to some shaved ice, and recharge!
Emily says
Enjoy every minute. Hawaii is the best! I can’t wait to take my kids there!
Rachel says
MAUI! I am so jealous! But so happy for you. Maui is absolutely my favorite place ever. Enjoy your week. If you stay longer, you’ll probably start coming up with schemes on how you can move there. (“Hmm…selling shave ice seems like a viable options. Maybe I can become a hula dancer. Who am I kidding? I’d do any job to stay in Maui forever!”)
Meredith says
Wow, soooooooooo happy for you guys. We’ll of course miss you terribly this week but it will be SUPER exciting to hear all about your vacation when you return! Have a faaabulous time and make sure to rock the SPF so the pastiness stays pasty. :) (Fellow fair-skinned girl here; tropical vacations with sunburns are no bueno!)
Merideth says
good for you! have a great trip!!!
Elizabeth says
Y’all deserve it! Have so much fun and leave the computer at the hotel :)
Courtney says
While you are in Maui, you absolutely MUST get a Tom’s Shave Ice (in Wailuku). It is the best and a favorite of the locals! We’ve not found anything on the Mainland that compares. :) If you will be there through this weekend, the Iao Theater (great local theater also in Wailuku) is showing Grease. Another, hole-in-the-wall, local favorite is Tiffany’s (also in Wailuku… we used to live in Wailuku, can you tell). It is a family style (large plate and everyone shares) Thai food restaurant(even our East TN native selves thought it was fabulous!). Have fun!!!!!
Jeanine says
Have a great time you guys! Enjoy your well deserved R&R!
Oh and Sherry I often fight with the skirt spin too during the summer. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Enjoy Hawaii!
Beth @ 990 Square says
Have an awesome vacation!!
Amy says
We were there in February a few years ago and it happens to be perfect timing for whale watching. You animal lovers would love a whale watching tour, and if not, keep an eye and ear out when you’re swimmming. Also, Hana Hwy is a must do!! Amazing sights I still haven’t forgot.
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
Oh, you so deserve a week off! Really, like a month off! Enjoy it. Don’t worry about the blog. Everyone will be right here when you get back. ALOHA!
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
I’m so excited for you guys too! What a great getaway during this winter! It’s always nice to enjoy some sunshine on your face without a case of cold windburn to accompany it! I’m making my way to Cali soon and absolutely cannot wait!
And yes, I’m a total slave to the skirt twist too! Adjust, adjust, adjust! So annoying :) Have fun relaxing!
Breanna Bell says
Ohhh, we just got back from Maui in January and had a wonderful time! Definitely find the Jaws Burrito Food Truck near Big Beach! Oh and Aloha Mixed Plate is a wonderful little place right on the Ocean next to the Old Lahaina Luau (we went there at night and enjoyed the luau next door free of charge, yes we are that cheap)! They have the most amazing garlic french fries, smoothies and thai style food for cheap! My plate of noodles was $5.50 which as you know is dirt cheap in Maui. Have fun!!!
Leigh Anne says
Paia and Makawao for shopping. Someone recommended mamas fish house–it is great, but way pricey…go for lunch if at all, and probably skip it if Clara isn’t down for leisurely meals with ambiance. There are plenty of great quick/family friendly restaurants on that side (paia) –flatbread, fish market, des amis. If in paia stop for ono gelato!! Sansei has great sushi, and so does Duncan’ in makawao, the drive to Hana is totally worth it (go all the way around). My cant miss treat when i’m home are the lemongrass chicken sandwhiches at Bale (vietnamese) off of dairy road. Keawekapu is a great beach for babies, as is baby beach (go in the morning–the wind picks up in the afternoon). Take Clara to the aquarium! Pacific whale foundation for whale watches. You can ride the ferry to lanai (pack a picnic and spend a day at the beach or rent a car and make it more of an adventure!). The surfing goat dairy would be a lot of fun for Clara. The crater (and getting up for sunrise) is worth it–such a unique environment!) but Clara probably wouldn’t appreciate it, it’s a long drive, and it is cold!! I grew up in Maui and just went back with my almost one year old…it is a totally different visit with a baby! Lots of fun in a new way:) I’ll probably think of more as soon as I submit but have fun!!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Thanks for all the Maui tips guys!
xo,
s
Alex says
Hurray!!! Good for youuu!!!! Also, clara’s fuzzy white toque is so adorable
also, i hate skirt spin, its the worst.
have an amazing time!!!! :)
Shanade says
Ooh… have fun! My hubby and I are planning a ten day trip to Maui and the Big Island for our ten year anniversary next year. You’ll have to tell us what the best places are to check out.
Missy says
I am so happy for you guys. There is no one that deserves it more. This post made me so happy! I hope you can really unplug and enjoy every moment together as a family! Everyone will understand. You will be missed this week, but we all look foward to what’s coming! Enjoy!!!!! Happy early anniversary!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks you guys. You’re all so sweet!
xo,
s
stef says
Awesome! I spent a week in Maui with friends. We divided our time between a rental condo in Kihei and a few days at the Grand Wailea.
There’s a mexican restaurant in Kiehei called Fred’s that we ate at literally.every.day. Stop by for awesome breakfasts and Taco Tuesday! Plus, the beach across the street is gorgeous, fairly non-rocky, and was never too busy.
Have an excellent time!
Andrea B says
Yay! Good for you guys! Soak up the sun, relax, and don’t reply to this comment. Just walk out the door of your hotel and into the blissful summertime air.
Jeni Sandberg says
I just got back from my Hawaiian vacation! Maui was great, hope you get to do the road to Hana. Enjoy the aloha.
Allyn says
Oh yay, guys! You deserve it! Have so much fun!
Leigh Anne says
Hope you all are having fun! I love Maui! If you haven’t already, you should try Aloha Mixed Plate. It’s very good and reasonably priced. It’s in Lahina.
Brittnee says
Have a wonderful and much deserved vacation! Congrats on finishing the book! I’ll be one of the first ones to buy it :)
Andria says
Hi Petersiks,
Oh my goodness – I was so happy to read that you’re in Hawaii. Have a wonderful, wonderful vacation. I can’t wait to see pictures when you get back! Especially of Clara – she’s almost exactly one year older than my baby Ellie and I love to think about what Ellie will be like in one year!
Andria