A Tribute

My granddad was my everything. He was my father, my friend and my rock. I am posting his obituary on here and I am going to be a photo hog.... yes, they are all of me and him so I hope no ones feelers get hurt but oh well.

Obituary for Robert Whiting


Whiting, 84 years young, left this world to be with his Father in Heaven on March 27th, 2008 after a very short courageous battle with cancer. Robert was born on the 4th of November, 1923, in Crystal, Power County, Idaho. He was the 7th child of Forres and Margery Butterfield Whiting. Most of his childhood years were spent in Salmon Idaho where he attended school. At the age of 9 he lost his mother due to complications from child birth and at the age of 14 he lost his father to heart complications and had to become very independent from that age on. He started working on several ranches in the area to help support his siblings.

Robert joined the Army in February of 1943. He was very proud that he was able to serve his country during WWII. He was on Utah beach during D-Day, he helped fight during the Battle of the Bulge and he liberated the Bergin-Belsen concentration camp. During this time was when he met his lifelong friend Al Vensak while building bridges to allow the Armed Forces further access into France and Belgium. Robert was honorably discharged in October of 1945.

Edwin coming home from the war Robert met “the prettiest girl he had ever seen” in Nutrioso Arizona and made Marian Louise Slade his wife on 19 of December 1951. They were married in the Mesa AZ Temple for Time in All Eternity. She followed him to New Mexico, Hawaii, Colorado and Utah until they finally settled in Boise Idaho in 1958 where their oldest daughter, who was born handicapped, could receive the schooling she needed. They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in 2007.
Robert lived for his ladies. He had four daughters and four granddaughters all of whom had him wrapped around their little fingers. When two son in laws came around he thought the sun rose and set in those two boys. He instilled in all them a love of the mountains, all of nature and taught them to fish, shoot, and camp with the best of them. Many a wonderful time for our family was spent at Smiley Creek in the Sawtooth Mountains.

On his days away from working for John Ewing, whom he considered a son; he could be found in his large garden, or building something around the house. He was a very avid reader as well his favorites being the scriptures, and good ol’ Louis L’Amour. He stayed incredibly close with all of his 15 siblings and their prospective families and loved each and every one of his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews very dearly.

was a very devout and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He filled many positions and held many callings including a Scout Master, Sunday School Teacher and High Priest Group Leader and was an amazing genealogist. Later in life genealogy became his passion, finding thousands of names and doing the temple work of many of them with his family. He loved that he was able to share temple work with his wife, daughters and granddaughters.
He is survived by his sweet wife Louise, his four daughters, Laurie Robinel Whiting, Stefanie Ann Bitton (Micheal), Tanya Louise Whiting, Shiara Louise Whiting, his four granddaughters, Laura Monae Curtis (Matthew), Chante Nicole Forgett, Danielle Naomi Bitton and Makayla Ann Bitton. Of his 15 siblings he is survived by Ruth Andrews and family, Alta Allsworth and family, Roy and LaVerda Whiting and family, Iris Saxton and family, and JuneWhiting, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his companions Bandit, Kimo, Piper, Lucy and Redder Boy.

Funeral Update

My grandfathers viewing is this Sunday from 6 to 8 pm. The funeral will be Monday at 1 pm with a viewing the hour prior. Both of those will be at the LDS Northview Chapel. Immediately following the funeral will be a graveside service at Dry Creek Cemetery.

Not so happy news

For those who keep up on our life via this blog here is a quick update. The wonderful, amazing humble man who raised me, my granddad Robert Whiting passed away at about 3:00 this afternoon. It all happened really quick and hasn't quite sunk in. As it sits now, the funeral is Tuesday the 1st of April... how fitting.... with a viewing on Monday evening.

In your prayers tonight...

Please include my grandfather Robert Whiting. He is in ICU tonight and is already saying he knows he going. I guess I wasn't ready to hear that tonight. Thanks in advance.

We are back!

We arrived in Boise last night and are just too beat to post pictures and things so I will update you all later on out very eventful... both good and bad.... trip!! Loves to all!!

I can't smile without you!!

On monday the 17th we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. Yes, we were married on St. Patricks day.What an awesome two years. They haven't been easy but we have made it through and have become closer and closer. Our trials have done nothing but solidify our marriage. I am so grateful for my husband and find myself loving him more and more each day. Heavenly Father has truly blessed us. We are each others soul mate and best friend and I can't imagine having to live a day without him. Happy Anniversary honey... I love you!!!

A Little Time for Ourselves

This past saturday Matt and I were able to take of and spend the night in our favorite place in the world. We drove through Sun Valley to little Stanley Idaho and stayed in a motel in town. There was SOOO much snow. Most of the meadows have around 4 feet at the lowest points. It was crazy beautiful and COLD, especially at night. Everyone had their snow mobiles out and it made us want one really bad! It looked like lots of fun. We really just enjoyed having time for ourselves, and being together, with our dog of course! Here are some photos of the trip. Of course I was driving up Galena Summit when it started snowing and almost biffed it.... it was a little scary but we made it. It was really only the very top 500 feet of the summit that was snow covered. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive and good tires. Piper loved playing the first day in the snow but when the second day came along she was so done.... she didn't even want to get out of the car to go to the bathroom. Silly puppy! What a great anniversary gift to ourselves!!

Pics from Tonys birthday

We celebrated our friend Tonys 12th birthday by having dinner at Fudruckers and games at Gameworld, an arcade. Lots and lots of fun! Here are a few pictures.
This was while at Fudruckers.... what a fun time. I had never been to one before. I can't say it was worth the price, but it wasn't bad. Tony was totally stoked about his big birthday gift. Everyone at work pooled money together and bought him Rockband. So much fun. We have had lots and lots of Rockband nights since then.

We are still alive, I promise

We have been busy busy busy. Lots of work and a little play. I know I promised pictures. I am in Houston right now for a national theatre conference and don't know how reliable the wi-fi is but I will attemp to post some now.

Here are a few of the pictures from the ballet Little Tricker the squirrel and Big D the Bear.
Here is Big D the Bears body... biggest puppet I have ever seen.


... and here is his head.

Here are a few shots of the Opera Elixer of love. We built the set and Matt designed the lights. Good times for all.... Or not... LOL

Its not over until the fat lady sings

Our opera has come together after a tiresome week and we are in the final dress rehearsal right now. Matts light design is beautiful as usual. As soon as I get home I will post some pictures from the opera and the ballet that I promised long ago. We finally have a day off tomorrow and we are spending it with Rick and his son Tony for Tony's 12 birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!!

A bit of sad news

Saturday we found out that a dear friend of ours lost her 32 year old husband to a brain aneurism late friday evening. You never expect to lose someone so young..... God be with you until we meet again Jose Retureta. Our dear Amy, You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. We love you!