13

Right after the turn of the century, in the earliest year of the new millennium, a little baby girl was born.

So Mistah and I drove to San Diego to meet her.

 And we all got along swimmingly.

The only bad thing was saying good-bye every year.

2002:

The good thing was that we got to see her every year.

Sometimes she came to visit us in Connecticut . . .

2003:

And sometimes we visited her in California.

2004:

The really good years were when we got to see her in both places.

One of my all-time faves.

She ruled the school at our family party in Phelps.

(A rare moment when she wasn't driving the pontoon boat.)

2005:

She really is quite a pip.

As her oldest cousin, whom she adores, texted me after a recent visit: "She's rather adorable." You're not so bad yourself, Colleenie.

2006:

Giving "the look" from the earliest years of her life.

. . . and the life of the party, always.

2007:

The Birthday Girl!  June 20, 2007.  Six!

She -- and her brudder -- are Westy-Lovers . . .

. . . and Porgie lovers. Aw, Porgie.

2008:

Way back when she was seven, she was a mere surfing spectator . . . unlike now.

. . . and a fierce karate expert . . .

. . . and who can forget . . .

. . . Little Girl, Big Dog.

Dressy dress girls.

2008 also marked the beginning of the annual Uncle-Bill-photo-session-at-Ocean-Beach-East series.

I die.

2009:

Like Phelps five years before, our whole family got together in 2009 in the Poconos . . .

. . . as I may have mentioned.

Yeah, that worked out pretty well.

2010:

Where does the time go?

Don't ask me because I have no earthly idea.

2011:

Aren't they cooperative and well-behaved children?

It's true.

2012:

We're excited for the 2022 version of this photo.

2013:

In 2013 we got to see lots of our then-12-year-old friend; we had her all to ourselves for a few days. She was a delight . . .

. . . a goober . . .

. . . terribly fierce . . .

. . . incredibly gorgeous . . .

. . . and pure joy.

And now? Let's see what 13 brings.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Boogsie!