Bill Bates

I just watched a John Oliver episode on the movie poster industry in Ghana, and I am now obsessed. Classic films! #nailedit

Day 22: Family and memories are a constant theme on our tree. Sometimes it’s subtle, and sometimes, like today’s ornament, it’s impossible to miss. Jenn and her siblings have a special place on our tree, haircuts and all! 💕🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #Family ##ChristmasMemories

Day 21: For those in the know, this is the Enterprise D from an alternate timeline in the TNG finale All Good Things. I remember watching this episode with Gibby in a common area of a Cal Tech dorm. Another reminder of how stories stick to ornaments. 🎄🖖✨ #25DaysOfOrnaments #StarTrek #Memories

Day 20: As Christmas gets closer, I think about December snow from my childhood and heading outside with my brother to build snowmen. 💕 This ornament has always been a favorite. It reminds me how much this season is about family. ☃️🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #HolidayMemories

Day 19: A close friend gave me this today, and I was truly touched. We share a love of bourbon and a well-made Old Fashioned. 💕I am blessed to be surrounded by people who bring thoughtfulness, generosity, and joy into my life. Thank you, Olivia!!! 🥃🎄💛 #25DaysOfOrnaments #OldFashioned #Friendship

Day 18: A dear friend gave me this handmade ornament today. Some ornaments are about the people who have been part of our lives for a long time. Friendship has earned its place on our tree, and this one is a reminder of how much those relationships matter to us. ✨🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #Friendship

Day 17: With the vitriol and vileness flying around, I thought today’s ornament might help me center myself. It seems fitting that Josh Groban is singing a Christmas song in my office. 🙂 Wishing you peace, love, and space to breathe wherever you are. 🕊️🎄✨ #25DaysOfOrnaments #SeasonOfReflection

Day 16: We don’t visit the National Archives every year, but when we do, I always appreciate the stop. Seeing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights in person never gets old. 📜🏛️🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #HistoryOnTheTree

Day 15: Monticello has earned a place on our tree and in my heart. Such a beautiful location and an amazing home. Jefferson loved books, gadgets, and homemade inventions. The house is full of gadgets and little surprises. My kind of house! 🎄📚🏛️ #25DaysOfOrnaments #Monticello #HistoryOnTheTree

Day 14: In 2017, took a cross-country road trip. The four of us, 26 states, and about 11,000 miles. We visited Yellowstone National Park. It is one of our favorite places, and this ornament makes me think of the great time we had together. 🌲🚐 #25DaysOfOrnaments #Yellowstone #FamilyRoadTrip

Day 13: Christmas needs a captain Christmas. The final frontier. These are the voyages of our holiday tree. Its ongoing mission: to explore strange new ornaments, to seek out old memories and familiar favorites, to boldly hang what brings us joy. ✨🖖 #25DaysOfOrnaments #StarTrek #HolidayTraditions

It was ugly sweater day at Pinewood today. I gave a little extra. Jenn got me the socks! 😁🎅🏻🎄

Day 12: We’re at the midpoint of our journey, and it felt right to go with a Christmas favorite. I don’t remember his story, but we hang Frosty on our tree every year because he makes us happy. Hopefully, he brightens your day too as you scroll. ☃️🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #HolidayJoy #ChristmasMagic

Day 11: I’ve chaperoned many DC and Virginia trips, and Michie Tavern is always a favorite stop. Built in the late 1700s, it’s full of charm, warmth, and truly incredible fried chicken! Every visit brings comfort, history, and great memories. 🍗❤️ #25DaysOfOrnaments #MichieTavern

Day 10: I love the classics just as much as our unique ones. I have always loved this Santa ornament. Something about it feels so simple and joyful. Here is a haiku in its honor. Santa swings with cheer, Dangling treats and tiny dreams, Magic on a string. #25DaysOfOrnaments #SantaMagic #HolidayJoy

Day 9: I’ve been playing D&D since I was 11 and loved sharing it with my boys. One monster they love to hate is the mimic. It looks harmless until it very much is not. After years of tormenting their party, it was only right that one found a place on our tree. 🎲🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #DnD #Memories

Day 8: Back in 2019, before COVID, we hosted one of the strangest assemblies I have ever seen at Pinewood: The Misty and the Sandman Steampunk Hypnosis Experience. A good friend later turned their stickers into this ornament, preserved forever on our tree. 🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #SteampunkChristmas

Day 7 My Aunt Judy made this ornament for me when I was a kid. She passed a long time ago, but I still think about her often. Every year it has a place on our tree, and every year I see her. It holds memories, love, and reminds us of those who still live in our hearts. 💕🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments #Family

Day 6: This past summer, Jenn and I visited Sandals Jamaica South Coast. We love cats, so this ornament came home with us as a reminder of that trip. After the recent hurricane, our thoughts are with the people of Jamaica as they recover. 🇯🇲🐾 #25DaysOfOrnaments #Jamaica #Grateful

Day 5: “I am NOT a merry man” A little bat’leth spirit for the season! Lieutenant Commander Worf is in all his Klingon glory. Few characters embody honor and loyalty the way Worf does. Seeing him on our tree always makes me smile. 🎄🖖⚔️ #25DaysOfOrnaments #StarTrek #KlingonHolidays

Day 4: Jenn’s sister once spent time in South Africa helping with their new constitution. She brought us this basket ornament, and we’ve treasured it ever since. We’re proud of all she’s done, and I’m proud to call her sister. 💕🌍🎄 #25DaysOfOrnaments

Day 3: In 2003 we bought our current house. With two little boys, we needed more room than our small condo. It was meant to be a five year house, but twenty two years later it is still home. A wonderful neighborhood filled with great people, memories, and moments we treasure. 💕🏡✨ #25DaysOfOrnaments

Day 2: The NSEA Protector! The best Star Trek movie that was not actually a Star Trek movie. I was so excited to find this ornament! More like this to come! Jenn’s favorite. 🤣🚀✨ “By Grabthar’s Hammer, by the Suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged!” #25DaysOfOrnaments #GalaxyQuest #SciFiHolidays

Back for 2025! Day 1: Starting with a new ornament! I picked up The General’s Prayer during our 8th grade trip to Mount Vernon in September. As a GW super fan, this one makes me happy and reminds me of the season ahead, filled with love, reflection, and respect for all. 🎄✨ #25DaysOfOrnaments

The final results of today’s rib extravaganza! The cherry BBQ sauce my friend made was delicious! 🙂

And it has finally happened!!! #IYKYK #Hornet #SilkSong

Three racks of ribs rubbed and ready to slow cook until I sauce them later. A friend makes her own cherry BBQ sauce, yes with real cherries. I am excited for it!!! #ribs #NFLSunday

The same people attacking California’s Prop 50 saying it is attack on democracy are the same people cheering Texas and other red states who are election tampering. Should we have Prop 50, absolutely not, but sadly, we can’t afford not to.

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!! 😁 #tradition

Wednesday Season 1 was 🔥. Having to wait basically three years, I think I am over it. S2E1 bored me to tears. I am not sure it was actually boring, I think I just didn’t care anymore. I guarantee current streaming norms will eventually fail. We deserve better.

Greetings from the crime ridden hell hole that is San Francisco. #SFGiants #OraclePark

Happy Friday! #OldFashioned

The game got out of hand last night and the Cubs put in a position player to pitch. 45 MPH was his power pitch. Most were in the 30s. A great win. #oraclepark #sfgiants

A pop up Peruvian place at the park. Chicken and potatoes. It is good. Spicy chicken! #OraclePark #SFGiants

So true.

🤦🏻‍♂️😩😢

A friend gave me some honey from her bee hives. So, of course I made a rich honey simple syrup for my Old Fashioned!!! 😁🥃

I never thought it possible in my lifetime to be heading in this direction.

On this day in 1987 we released the utterly briliant self titled album 'Echo & The Bunnymen'. It was the album that introduced the magic of Echo & The Bunnymen to the mass fanbase 🙏🏻 🐰🎸😎

It isn’t a party without a stop at the Ice House!!! #Family #VacationAdventure

Happy Father’s Day!!! I have my hammock and a new book and the family will be over later. 💕

#NailedIt 💕