HAPPY 31ST BIRTHDAY, ERIN REBECCA!!!

Today, when I began to look through all the pictures of Erin that were in my albums (usually I have been looking through a huge container of separated pictures of each child), I found pictures I haven't seen in a while and I thought I would share them with all of you. This is a small tribute to Erin, who was my "right-hand" girl, making my life easier, remembering what I would forget and HELPING me through all the babies that were to follow after she was born (except for Michelle-because you were too little!). As I thought back over the years and looked at hundreds of pictures, I was once again amazed at how selfless Erin is and was, even as a young girl. She always wanted to help, she took on responsibilities with a great attitude and she DID things without me having to ask her to! She was truly a leader and all her sisters and Joe followed her (sometimes NOT too willingly, but they did!) How would I have made it without her! Erin, I can never thank you enough for the countless hours you babysat, toddlersat, kidsat and teenagesat, cooked, baked, cleaned, cleaned and cleaned some more! Here is a SMALL tribute to your life: Erin's first professional picture at 2 months-a little chubby!
May, 1977, Woodbine, Md., after Erin's Christening. I was 23 and Bruce was 26. Grandmom & Granddad King with their 1st grandchild! They were thrilled and very much a part of Erin's life!
Halloween, 1977, at G-Mom's house. That was my bridal veil she had on and the dress was an antique tablecloth I made into her "costume". A gorgeous bride even at 7 months old! I loved Erin in Oshkosh overalls! Here she is 1 yr. old, just walking. How adorable!

Now to skip several years! This is probably the beginning of 1992. This next group of pictures shows Erin and several ways she helped. Now here she is quilting one of the bedspreads I made for Michelle and Erin's bedroom. Sewing was never Erin's "thing", and as you can see she really wasn't too thrilled about quilting!
Mowing the lawn with G-Dad's tractor! Helping and probably glad to get outside and be alone for a while! Roller skating AND holding one of the twins (Sarah, I think).
Decorating our Christmas tree. See her helpers? Michelle was really helping, but I doubt that Megan & Sarah were of too much help at that age!
When we went camping at Camp Blue Diamond, Erin helped get all the towels, kids, shoes & picnic stuff back to the car to take back to the campsite. Now if we go back there to camp, I can help her with their towels, kids, shoes and stuff!

Get those kids together for a funny Christmas picture, Erin!
Erin made this cake for Easter one year!
Now for those of you who think Erin didn't get to have any fun, here's Erin with Jesse Johnson & Joe acting silly at the Johnson farm! I could have put up LOTS of silly pictures of Erin, but didn't want to embarass her too much! One of our many get togethers with the Ports growing up! Notice Jason & Erin are sitting together! I think this is about 1991, Erin's 14 & Jason's about 16. When Jason was in Parris Island at boot camp, his Dad, Bruce, Erin & Joe went down to graduation! Here they are after graduation! A fine young man for my fine young lady! Oh, the great memories! Thinking of them and you today, Erin! How I wish we could be with you and honor the truly great woman you have become, the caring, loving girl that you were, and the first beautiful baby that we had! May you know how truly grateful we are that God gave you to all of us! Happy Birthday! Love, Mom, Dad, Liz, Joe, Megan, Sarah, Aimee, Annah (she can say it in person!), Josh & Lindsey