Xmas Tree Redux

Hey Everyone,
Here it is, finally!! Hope that Kaiser puts the tree into some perspective. :)
And how bout this snow?!? I shoveled (snowblower needed) and it doesnt look like I did anything. Oh well. Brad should be thrilled....lol.
Looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend. Drive safely to the airport.

I'm Internet Famous!

There was a blogger that sat next to us at the Video Game Awards named Chad. He was a big fan of Psychonauts and Double Fine so he was really excited to sit by us. Tim came up to check on us halfway through the show and I introduced him to Chad. He was super stoked! He took a bunch of pictures and promised to make us Internet Famous. He just posted them on his blog over at Destructoid. Check it out!

See you guys soon!

Love,
Brad!

The Beast Arrives

As you know, our old, big-screen TV died a horrible death. Projection guns out of alignment for no apparent reason.
We went to Best Buy and bought a 52", Samsung LCD HDTV. Supporting the economy and all that!
It is awesome.
The Geek Squad is coming Monday morning to hook it up, but I have done my own hookup for now so we can watch TV. We'll let the GS hook up the new up convert DVD player. Oh boy, DVDs in HD!
Should be a lot of fun watching movies on the new beast over Christmas.
Can't wait for Brad and Tim to get here.
Love you call.

Mom and Dad

Brütal Legend at the VGA's!

Our trip down to LA was incredible! EA paid for 4 pimped out escalades to take us down to the show. We felt like a hip hop posse rolling down the freeway. They also picked up the tab for some fancy pants food and a TON of drinks. I really have to detox over the next few days before I come home! :D

The show was a blast. It was way less embarrassing towards game developers than previous shows. Still kind of goofy... but these are supposed to be less like the Oscars and more like the MTV Movie Awards so it's totally ok. Here's the AMAZING setup for the trailer that Jack Black did for the game at the show! He also hyped it EVERY CHANCE HE GOT while on stage. It was really great to be a part of this whole thing and the internet buzz feels very positive!

I got to meet Rob Halford in person on the red carpet, and I saw Neil Patrick Harris from about 10 feet away. We also saw Christian Bale eating breakfast with his family in Santa Monica at the same restaurant that we were eating in. Holy crap Batman/John Connor was eating eggs in my presence!

Plus I got to meet and talk with a lot of different game developers at the after party. I got to chat with the guys who made Little Big Planet, plus the director of God of War 2. Really great! I also got to hang out with Scott and Ryan... super fun times with those guys... hadn't seen them in a good long time.

The trip was a total success although they should really have the next one in San Francisco. LA is just too far away. Now we just have to make sure that the game lives up to JB's lofty words. :D

-Brad!

Christmas Dinner Requests

Okay. Christmas is coming fast and I am planning the menu. Here is what I have so far:

1. Roast turkey with traditional bread stuffing in the bird. Note: there may be two turkeys: one in the oven and one on the grill. Jury is out on that.
2. Gravey
3. Cranberry sauce -- that's for me and Grandma
4. Twice baked potato casserole -- like last year
5. Cheesy broccoli -- your Mother's famous dish and what would Christmas be without it?
6. Something made with sweet potatoes
7. Another vegetable dish -- ideas?
   
8. Multigrain rolls
9. Another bread? Sourdough?
10. Salad? What kind?
11. Soup? Might be fun. Do we need this? Ideas?
12. Apple Squares
13. Cookies -- chocolate chip/oatmeal/peanut butter?
    
14. Pie(s)? What kind?
15. Other ideas?

Let me know.
Love you all,
Dad

Come on Greg! Where are the tree photos?

Does it look like this? Sort of a ball only with lights and ornaments?
You promised pictures. So, give already.
The whole family is waiting to see your beautiful tree.
Click. Post. View Christmas tree.
That's all it takes.
Post as soon as you can. Okay?
Love ya,
Dad

Congratulations, Tim!!

We're so happy for Tim - he graduated from The University of Michigan yesterday! He looked really handsome in his (Brad's) cap and gown. His graduation was wonderful and we all had a great dinner at the Gandy Dancer! Greg and Danielle, Grandma, and Michelle were with us to celebrate. We're very proud of his accomplishment because we know how hard he worked!

GO BLUE!!

We love you guys! Hugs and kisses from Rochester Hills!!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Elf Yourself!

I talked to Michelle online today. She says Merry Xmas and sent me some awesome videos!
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/rXkMfHJGPh2I9ERjvvvt
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/McbiCVejjPlHkVpPj1rc

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Boy, it it beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Your Mom has been working really hard to make this place look great.
Of course, Tim and Brad put up the outside lights (amazing) and set up the rocking horse tree. Then Mom, Grandma and I put the lights and rocking horses on it.
Mom put up the nutcrackers and the Santas. And she decorated the stair railings.
The big tree is up with lights on it and we're putting the ornaments on this morning.
Of course there always seems to be more to do and we never seem to be done. But it is looking like Christmas has arrived at the Muirs.
Love you guys,
Dad

X-Mas Tree's

Hey Everyone,
Our X-Mas tree is finally together!!! Danielle and I just finished it (pics to follow). It is by far one of the fattest tree's I've been around. And its resembles a ball rather than a cone shape, but it looks cool and smells even better.
Looking forward to Sunday, Sunday, Sunday (kinda like the moster truck show :p) See you guys later. Mad Love from Fairfield Drive in good ole Warren, MI

Hang in there Tim!

No one is counting!
You're right just 12 days left now (until the 17th, last exam)
One day at a time as they say.
You can do this.
Spitting wooden nickles and all that.
Keep your chin up.
Okay, I am out of cliches. LOL
We are very proud of you.
Just think about dinner at the Gandy Dancer with your family on December 14.
We love you.
See you soon.

Mom and Dad

:(

Just got back from the library, can I be done with this yet? I've just about had it, I gotta tell you. Twelve days left, but who's counting - right?

New England Houses and Landscape Looks Amazing

On another post, I mentioned that the New England houses and all the accessories were up and that everyone pitched in and got it all done in 1.5 hours. It's a lot of work. I know. Your Mother and I have sometimes taken three days to put up all those houses (47!).
Well this morning I got a chance to look at the job you all did and it's amazing. I have never even thought about doing some of the things you did.
For example, placing the stone walls between some of the houses breaks up the linear look of the setting. Also placement of some of the trees is really cool. Well done.
But the thing I found most amusing was the old man at the far left end of the mantel leaning up against the house with his face toward the house (his head is actually leaning on the house) and it looks like he is peeing! I am sure that was placed there by either Brad or Tim.
Whoever did it, it is hilarious!
Love,

Dad

World Premier. Woooooooooooooooooo

Brad: Congratulations on the VGA game footage world premier for Brutal Legend! With Jack Black, too. Should be very cool. We will be sure to tune in on December 14, 2008.
Well done! We are very proud of you.

Mom and Dad

2008 Video Game Awards!

The Video Game Awards are hosted on Spike TV. The bad news is that the show is basically what you would get if you let a bunch of retarded teenagers produce the Oscars for a target audience of retarded teenagers. The good news is that Jack Black is hosting it this year and they're going to be showing the world premiere gameplay trailer for Brütal Legend!

I'm pretty excited... and definitely nervous. We haven't shown anyone real game footage... just the old prerendered trailer. Hopefully it's well-received and we start getting some great buzz on the internets! Woo!

The show is going to be live next Sunday night, Dec 14th at 9pm. Check it out!

A Big Thank You to All

Tonight I'm home alone - Dad is at the Red Wings game (lucky) - and thinking about the weekend. It was soooo nice to have everyone together. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share the weekend with us. There's nothing better than to have our 3 boys and 1 girl all together doing fun things (like making caramel apples, putting up the Christmas Village, going to a movie, sharing a pizza, putting up the outside lights, lots of lunches and dinners, etc.) I look forward to the Christmas holidays when we can all be together again and make more memories :) So thanks again for being so great - I really love you guys!!
Mom

Back in San Francisco!

I flew all morning and landed in San Francisco yesterday in one piece! Thanks to Mom and Dad for driving me to the airport... it was sooooo early!

My flight was delayed for an hour on the tarmac... something about one of the computers not booting up properly. (computers lol) We had to go back to the gate but we didn't have to deplane. I think they made up some time in the air, too. I slept all the way to Las Vegas and when I got off the plane I had to quickly jump on the next one for the short flight to San Francisco.

The Crafts were there to pick me up at the airport and we drove back into the city to meet Catie. We all went out to lunch and then I crashed out for the afternoon to catch up on some sleep. I woke up in the evening, took a shower, and then met them near their hotel for an awesome meal at this French restraunt, Bistro Aix. Rare ahi tuna with garlic mashed potatoes and spinach in a red wine sauce? Yes please! :D

I'm back at work now and I'm really excited to be here for the first time in a while. I didn't realize how much I needed a break! It was so nice to see everyone again... especially Grandma. She is one rad old lady. :) I love you all and I'll see you again in THREE SHORT WEEKS! omg!

Love,
Brad!