Beach bums

We had the pleasure of visiting the beach twice during our vacation. It may have been unseasonably cool, but that didn't stop Will from venturing into the surf—a big step from last year.
Can you tell the water was a little brisk?
Will threw himself into his work, digging on the shoreline and, well, throwing sand everywhere.
Grandpa and Ellie began the foundation for what would become an elaborate maze of sandcastles and moats.
Okay, maybe I exaggerate a little. Still, it was pretty neat.
We made some interesting discoveries, this piece of coral (well, I'm guessing that's what it is) and two shark teeth among them.
Ellie's favorite discovery may have been the ice cream sandwich she devoured.
We soaked up a ton of sun... hopefully it will help sustain us through the rest of a Chicago winter, when we'll be bummed we're not at the beach.