Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Guess Where We Are?!

Last Monday, a surprise snowstorm (in the middle of a super mild winter) made for this picture out of our living room widow:

  Last Monday Window

And Clara went outside and had fun doing this:

  Last Monday Clara

Fast forward about a week, and our view looks more like this:

  This Monday Window

And Clara’s sporting a different kind of outfit:

  This Monday Clara

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.

This Monday Flower

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).

This Monday Ocean

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.

This Monday Legs

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?

Comments

  4. Julie says

    You guys deserve the break. As much as I wait for 10 am every morning to read your post, we’ll still be here when you get back!!! :)

    Reply

  5. Madeline says

    Awww soooo happy for you guys! I embarrassingly got a little choked up for you all with happiness and jealously. Rest, relax and enjoy!! And lil Quesadilla looks too cool for school in those shades :) Also, I wanted to thank you for doing the Richmond Famous at RCC. Nate (the bf) and I have been back twice for shows–those guys are hilarious! So thank you for opening that door for us =)

    Reply

  6. Jocelyn C. says

    After the craziness, deserve a break. Maui is the perfect place. We got back a few weeks ago and my parents fly out Tuesday.
    You are there is PRIME whale season, so make sure to spend some time watching for them. Lot of great recommendations on here already for places to eat. Ululani’s – you will not be disappointed.
    Kudos to you for bringing Clara. We weren’t that brave, and left our two-year old at home (well, not alone with grandma nd grandpa).

    Reply

  9. Melissa says

    Fun! My husband and I got engaged in Waikiki a little over a year ago. I would love to visit the other islands someday :) Enjoy your vacation!!

    Reply

  10. Amanda says

    Good for you! You guys work your butts off all the time so it’s great that you’re taking a well deserved vacation. Enjoy it! I’ll be staring out my window at 2 feet of snow being insanely jealous and definitely missing your posts in the meantime :P

    Reply

  12. Kate says

    Have a wonderful unplugged vacation. I’m just going to have to find another way to look like I’m working at work at 10 and 2.

    Reply

  17. Elaine K says

    Have a wonderful time! We plan on going back to Kauai this fall to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Hawaii is the best place to have a fun, relaxing vacation and you guys definitely deserve it!

    Reply

  18. Joy says

    So happy for you guys! If I was you I wouldn’t even want to touch a computer while in HI. Hope you get lots of rest and enjoy every minute!

    Reply

  20. Sayward says

    Wooo!!! I cheered out loud when I read this! You guys deserve a vacation more than anyone I know. I hope you guys have the greatest time!!! You get a million points for sneaky vacation taking. That seems like something glamorous celebrities do or something. Haha, I can picture you guys cutting through your hotel’s kitchen and slipping out the back door in giant sunglasses. And I wear denim skirts almost every day in the summer (shorts aren’t my jam). I’m glad other people deal with skirt spin. Sometimes I won’t realize it until it’s almost 180 degrees around… I guess proper skirt band size is a delicate balance few can master :)

    Reply

  22. Dana B. says

    Aaaah! How fun for you, guys! I’m sure you’re having a blast!

    On an unrelated note, guess where the hubbs and I are headed next Monday? Hawaii! :)

    It’s going to be my first time there and I am super excited – now even more since I am inspired by your beautiful pictures! ;)

    Dana

    Reply

  23. Shunta says

    ENJOY!! Everyone should take a vacation every now and then. Even our favorite DIY’ers!!! No worries. Us readers aren’t going anywhere! :-) ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Super excited for you all!!

    Reply

  26. Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says

    What a perfect place to be in February! I just took my kids on a small “staycation” this weekend. We never left Portland, but we stayed in a rental cottage owned by my mother.

    We rented board games, read library books from the library right across the street, (very exciting for me) supported the local coffee shops and ate take-out for dinner. And when my younger son got bored, it was no big deal for his friend to join us.

    Mind you, it’s no Maui. But it was perfect break from the mid-winter rut we’ve been in.

    And our pasty white legs? Absolutely a must for February Portlanders.

    May you enjoy every minute of your well deserved vacation!

    Katy

    Reply

  29. Steph says

    I’m soooo excited for you guys to be taking a week off and enjoying an awesome vacation! Not that I won’t miss your blog, but you guys are such hard workers and so dedicated to the site that you deserve a vacation :) I don’t think you need to apologize for being slow to answering comments, enjoy your HI! We’ll all be here when you get back!

    Reply

  30. Tammy says

    Sigh. I love Maui. My hubby and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary there in December – already planning, and it will be my 5th trip to the island and his 3rd. If you get a chance, go snorkeling on one of the Trilogy cruises, and celebrate with a fancy dinner at Mama’s Fish House in Paia. We always stay at Kaanapali Beach Hotel, and the fresh ahi tuna at the Old Lahaina Luau is to die for.

    Have a fantastic trip!

    Reply

  32. Jill says

    I am soooo jealous! No blogger deserves it as much as you do! Yall have a super awesome time!!!! Make lots of awesome memories!! xoxo

    Reply

  33. Erika says

    Fuuuuunnnnn! We’re headed to Maui in May! It’ll be my first time in Hawaii. Have a great family vacation. You have a lot celebrate:)

    Reply

  34. Anna says

    Congrats! I thought that scene looked familiar! I’m in Maui with my husb; been here one week and have one more to go. We loved Ono Gelato, Mana Foods in Paia, and Makena Beach in particular. Also, Star Noodle in Lahaina was fantastic. Just got back from 2 days around the Hana Highway, which was absolutely wonderful. Enjoy your time, keep an eye out for whales, and email if you want any Hana Highway info. Aloha!

    Reply

  35. Mara says

    Maui’s super fun! If you can, try Paia’s fish market (fish and chips to die for) and then drive up the road for donuts-on-a-stick. Clara will like those ;)

    Reply

  36. Amy good house says

    Great snorkeling right next to Black Rock (behind the Sheraton) – you don’t need to pay for an expensive boat ride, just walk right into the water :)

    Get a very early start to see the top of the crater or drive on the road to Hana. Both stunningly beautiful sights!!!

    I love Maui – so many awesome things to see and do – have fun!!

    Reply

  37. Amy says

    And here I was just hoping you could sleep some this week after the craziness you have encountered! Enjoy the much needed time off. You deserve it!

    Reply

  39. Sarah says

    Go on a whale watching boat tour…Now! I wish I could remember the boat company we used but it was AMAZING (we did a smaller boat that fit about 15 people) Plus you’re in Maui at the right time to see them…I bet you can see them from the beach. Lucky dogs. Enjoy it:)

    Reply

  41. Ericka says

    I am sooo happy for you guys that you’re finally taking a vacation! And HAWAII!!!! I’m so jealous! You guys deserve it:) Have a blast!

    Reply

  42. Patricia says

    I’m turning 30 in May and my fiancee and I are going on a 7 day cruise to Alaska! I’m so excited. Maybe when in 5 years, he and I will go to Hawaii. lol. Have a blast and don’t worry about your readers…. we’ll do fine without you!

    Reply

  43. Stephanie says

    AH! So excited for you guys! Have fun, you deserve it! Hope to see lots of cute Clara pics when you get back! Not sure how I’ll manage my work week without YHL but I’ll pull through somehow! lol.

    Reply

  45. Sherry from BC says

    Have a fabulous vacation. You deserve it. You guys have been working round the clock with the book and kitchen and extras for the blog. I bet Clara will love being a beach baby.

    Reply

  46. Veronica says

    I am soooo happy for you guys! I haven’t been to Maui but have been to some of the other islands. Make sure you have shave ice with ice cream it is the best. Have fun!

    Reply

    • Larissa says

      Dang iPad. You deserve an amazing vacation more than anyone I know. Please make sure to play as hard as you work!

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