Other Recent Home Improvements

We're working hard to get the house "prettier" (buying rugs, painting rooms, new master bath) in time for Thanksgiving and Baby's arrival, but there were also some projects that took priority under the "getting ready for winter" category.

Dan had to put baffles in the soffets in the attic (this is supposed to combat the ice dams that form in one's gutters).

Grandpa came over to help with the drainpipes that lead away from the house (from the gutters).  They're subterranean and had gotten cracked and clogged over the years resulting in improper draining and flooding in the yard (and potentially could cause problems with water in the basement/foundation).

This also led to the extension of the retaining wall in the backyard.

And I'm not sure who was more excited about the new backpack leaf-blower-- Daddy or James!  (This acquisition is what lead to the previously posted game of playing landscaper.)