The Boys Birthday

It's their birthday! We read this little story (but in German) at school about their life so far. They walked around the earth, once per year, and showed some photos to the other kids. Kris made "Monster Cupcakes," out of chocolate cake with amazing cream cheese icing. Each monster had fearsome eyes and teeth!

Rowan and Elijah were born on November 27, 2004 in Redmond, Washington, in the USA. We were so happy to welcome them to our family. They were born six weeks early, and they were very small!

When they were one year old, we all moved to our apartment down the street, here in Germany. It was very cold that winter! We never saw snow on the ground so long. The boys saw the Dolomites for the first time and they learned to walk.

Rowan and Elijah turned two years old and they went to Texas and then Hawaii for a month of sun at Christmastime. All year they played together and rode their Bobby Cars in the sun.

When they turned three they came here to the Villa Kunterbund. Suddenly they had a teacher and lots of friends to play with. They only knew two words of German: Hallo and Danke. That year we went to see the Matterhorn and stayed in a vacation apartment that we called our "Mountain Home." Michael liked to take the boys on walks, even if it was raining! As usual, Hawaii and also Texas were the place to be for Christmas. Rowan and Elijah's grandmother in Texas and grandparents in Hawaii love them very much, and miss them because they can't see them every day!

Rowan and Elijah turned 4, and the Family Stanton discovered hiking and camping together. We went to Gardasee 4 times this year, and other places too! The boys love sleeping in a tent. They went rock climbing with a rope. And they got to eat lots of ice cream in Italy this year.

Now they are 5. Even though they don't speak German very well they are always learning. Mostly they learn from you. All of you are their teachers. Rowan and Elijah and their Mommy and Daddy all want to say thank you for being such good friends. Never stop playing!

Happy birthday Rowan! Happy Birthday Elijah!