Day 2-The Gang is Almost All Here

Today was the day we met out crew in its entirety. Our anticipation of the week to come was mind boggling!  We were entering the world of the complete unknown.  
Sam arrived at our house bright and early (half-seven...that's 7:30 a.m. to you and me on this side of the pond!) and, as we learned in that moment, yearning for a cup of coffee- milk and 1/2 sugar please.  He sat back watching the controlled chaos (that he would later come to understand completely) that we call school day morning drinking in not only his coffee but our lives.
Emily had gone to Sedalia (pronounced Seydahlia by our Brit friends) to meet Rupert at the train.  I have no idea what she thought she would find but I was going to find out soon enough!
It was doughnut day so our trip would be slightly different but Sam was up for the challenge!  We loaded in the car (less Lara, Gabe and DJ as they were still warm and cozy) and headed out to Daylight for our weekly "over sugar fix".
Once empty of kids and loaded up with fried sugar bits, we headed back to the house to introduce the four legged clan to Sam. 
I love Sam to death  but the man is simply not farm stock!  He was far more comfortable in the house with Georgia the old cat and enjoying the gargoyle cats hanging from the beams above the outside porch. Nonetheless, he boldly strutted past the ducks, the chickens and the turkeys towards the pigs and goats.  Once there he was politely content to view from a distance. 
Once introductions were complete, we headed back inside to prepare for a very busy day.
Emily returned from the "train" with Rupert our lead camera man and we all spent some time getting to know each other. 
Rupert was on "holiday" on this side of the pond (hmmm, not bad Brit for an American!) before he came to us.  He was spending some much deserved down time partying it up with his friends in LA.  Not just any friends mind you but the kind that throw large parties, have big houses and lots and lots of $$$$.  Rupert had been staying with a friend of his from "Family Guy" (I know isn't that cool!!!) and he had been eating his way through just about every In N Out Burger in LA!!!!  For my MO friends, these burgers are TO DIE FOR!!!  And, as Rupert would say- "Oh My GHOD!!!!!"
So here was this way cool guy hanging in our kitchen sharing some really cool stories and getting to know us as we all were feeling him out as well.  Little did we know that his artistry and his compassion would change out lives forever.