29/52 (30 coming soon!)

July 23, 2014 The Gathering Site

A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014'

These portraits are from Soren's 'pop up' session we did with a friend and AMAZING photographer Stephanie Frantz (I 'm All Smiles Photography). She is holding another pop up session Saturday August 16th. You can book a 30 minute session and her turn around on proofs is super quick. I love these!

Soren's Overhauls are made by Spriggs-Perzel. Link coming soon! They are constructed from an old pair of Rick's jeans. The Fossil tag is even in the back and there is an inscription in the front flap 'constructed from retired super-hero and awesome Dad, Rick Andress for Super Soren'. The cape is a one of a kind made from scrap fabric at home and the kerchief, a family heirloom from Grandma.

Sharon Woods

July 10, 2014 The Gathering Site

Another Great Park of Hamilton County!

On a very high recommendation we hit up Sharon Woods last week. Wow, really Wow! We had such a blast. They have SO MUCH to do!!!

We started simple on the Paddle Boats, then Soren hit up the playground - of which there are several. Then the trails - which are great! They are really easy to find and navigate AND are home to all sorts of fossils, shells, creeks, ants, Daddy-Long Legs, Orb-Weaving spiders and even Snakes!

Soren found himself a dozen shells, went fishing with his hands and a Prairie KingSnake. See for yourself!

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July 5, 2014 The Gathering Site

A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014'

Decisions!!! I couldn't choose between the two so here they are. We've had a blast the last couple days in the Forest Reserves of Hamilton County. Above is from Woodland Mound and below, from Sharon Woods. More to come! Happy holiday weekend!

Woodland Mounds

July 4, 2014 The Gathering Site

Meet Woodland Mounds.

Summers are amazing. Every year I fall more in love with Cincinnati, especially during the Summer season (although there is no competition for the smell of Fall). We have more sunlight and everything seems alive. Last year we perused the free spray grounds, hit up Coney and explored the zoo.

This year we have moved on to the Great Parks. We snagged a Cincinnati Parks pass from our dealership and are planning on taking full advantage of it (even though park membership is only 10 bucks for the WHOLE year, I think we will be renewing in 2015). I can't say the idea was entirely original - I have to give proper credit to one of our sitters.

She shot us a text recently about all the fun things she's been able to do with a family she's been nannying for up by Sharon Woods. The second I read 'paddle boating' out loud to Soren, he was instantly intrigues (or obsessed....).

We had never been hiking before yesterday, so I wasn't sure how Soren would feel about it. Not more than 2 minutes on the trail and he'd already be-friended a herd of Daddy-Long Legs (yes, a herd - there were SOOOOO many!), a Leaf-Cutting Ant, Monarch Butterfly, smelled purple and white flowers, found a Strawberry and a perfect Leading-Stick.

I have a feeling we will have many more great photos and videos to come. Cincinnati continues to blow my mind. The city is beautiful and beginning to bustle and 20 minutes outside of downtown is covered by green and forest reserve. #lovetheNati

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July 1, 2014 The Gathering Site

A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014'

Super Soren!!!! Soren requested a cape from me a few weeks ago so I took advantage of a pretty epic nap and made him one with some old fabric (I even had to sew some pieces together to make it the right size!). All in all, I think it turned out pretty rad and even has a big 'S' on the back. He insists on wearing his red boots and yellow gloves with it - even when he is eating ice cream *wink. yes - #motherhoodrules

29/52 (30 coming soon!)

Sharon Woods

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Woodland Mounds

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Links:

recording

Doula