our house, c. 1944 ...

I've been intending to order this photo for years now and I finally got my act together a couple weeks ago. Per my request, the Puget Sound Regional Archives produced this image and some building permit information from 1944, when the house was constructed. It's interesting to see all the changes to the structure since this photo was taken - along with all the changes to the surrounding flora. Just curious, what's with all the cement blocks ??