Step On It

This is the staircase that was built on the side of the house where the leak was.

Basically, they dug the dirt down, away from the foundation wall and then built stairs from the front of the property to the lower level in back.  I call the little ledge on the side a "smooch bench" because it's the perfect place to get a kiss!

 
And yes, they are the same bricks from the original fireplace that we've been using for this and this and this and this!