House Evolution

The photo on the top was taken on May 26, 2007 and the photo on the bottom was taken on July 27, 2008. Ulli has been hard at work in the yard. I have to admit that I spend a fraction of the time out working in the yard that Ulli spends. Literally, I spend maybe a tenth of the time working outside that Ulli does! It's just too damn hot!
In addition to the rain gutters and the new roof the house now has insulation in the roof. We got rid of the nasty spider bushes (that's what I call them--'cause there were a bunch of spiders living in them)! My parents came up and spent a few days cutting down bushes and trees, chipping wood, weeding, and tilling some of the backyard. I actually helped those days. Grandma Yamashita came and helped in the yard too. Recently we've been lucky to have good neighbors who have helped out with some tree branches. They also helped look after the house while we were in Germany. The house did not burn down!
Just thought I'd add some entries that might be of interest to people we don't see very often.... More about our trip in Germany will come in the next few weeks--before school starts again!