Arson, the Pleasant Grove Fire Department's dog, poses for a portrait in the arms of firefighter Shawn Sandberg on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at the Pleasant Grove Fire Station. Arson is a 1-year-old goldendoodle, and he occasionally tags along with firefighters on calls.

December was a pretty neat month for me. I had my first work trip and celebrated both Christmas and New Years far away from home for the first time. Spending major holidays like Christmas in my new Utah home is pretty different for me - it signals that my life has fully entered uncharted waters. Which, is a good thing. 

To begin with, the Daily Herald was amazingly generous and sent me to San Diego to photograph Brigham Young University's bowl game in San Diego. I showed up at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego a few hours before kickoff to photograph fans having a good time before the Poinsettia Bowl matchup against the Wyoming Cowboys. At first the weather was beautiful, but once kick off came, it changed to a downpour. I thought "sunny San Diego's" weather would be kind to me for the game, but fortunately I brought along rain gear and my cameras and I survived and I walked away with in-focus pictures. Success. Despite the rain, my first work trip rocked, and I hope I get the chance to travel on assignment again. The six pictures following all this text are a few of my favorite from the bowl game.

I also had the opportunity to work on a Monday Close Up with a man who is a third-generation Santa. The men of his family (beginning with his grandfather in 1936) have dressed up to play Santa for local families and events. David Carter (the man I followed) is the latest generation in this "Santa" family tree and he also serves as the assistant principal at a local high school. Those photos are at the end of this blog (after both the BYU bowl game and my daily assignments). If you'd like to read the full story I wrote, check it out here: http://provodh.com/caded.

Other than a trip to California and a quick photo story, the holidays weren't too busy. That breathing room has allowed me to step back and think a bit. This past year has given me so much change. Graduating from college and saying goodbye to the groups and friends I loved there (for now), working in Minneapolis for a summer internship, and finally landing a full-time gig here in Provo at the Daily Herald. I won't be running from semester to semester or internship or internship this year: I'll be here, in Utah. I think that's good for me. I've been seeking a constant place in my life ever since I left for college, and now I have it. Though I won't be here forever, I'm glad to wade into the still mysterious lands of Utah and learn what I can while the Beehive state will have me.

Brigham Young University fans mill about in the parking lot of the stadium during pregame festivities before the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 outside of Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

A Brigham Young University drummer performs with the band for fans during pregame festivities before the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 outside of Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum (12) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the matchup between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Wyoming Cowboys in the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

A member of the Brigham Young University Color Guard helps another member pick wet eyelashes out of her eye during the matchup between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Wyoming Cowboys in the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Kai Nacua (12) celebrates his interception late in the fourth quarter with defensive back Troy Warner (11) to seal BYU's victory during the matchup between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Wyoming Cowboys in the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Harvey Langi (16) accepts the Defensive Player of the Gtame award from Ted Tollner, a member of the Board of Directors for the San Diego Bowl Game Association, after defeating the Wyoming Cowboys in the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Fire fighters and community members work together to create a dam to block water from flooding a resident's yard after a water line burst along Caveman Boulevard near the intersection of E 300 N on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 in American Fork.

Kathryn Kenney, of Springville, browses through the selection of poinsettias in a greenhouse Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 at McCoard's Garden Center in Provo. A repeat customer, Kenney was picking out poinsettias for her family and herself.

Kane Davenport, 6, from Eagle Crest Elementary School, covers Alex Palmer's eyes as they shop for gifts during the Bear Hugs for Kids event Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at Walmart in Saratoga Springs.

Springville senior running back Payton Kelepolo poses for a portrait Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 at Springville High School's football field. Kelepolo was chosen as the Daily Herald's football player of the year.

Members of the altar party make their way onto the altar as Timothy Yanni lays prostrate on the floor during a priest ordination ceremony Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Provo.

From left, triplets Navy, Indi, and Livia, all 4, try to pose for a friend's picture with their mother Celeste Erickson and family friend Ryder Hill, 13, during Cocoa, Candy Canes and Conversation on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 at the Pleasant Grove Fire Department. The event brought in community members to meet with fire fighters and police officers to chat over hot chocolate and treats and also learn more about the roles of public safety departments.

Brent Taylor wheels a cabinet fitted with sliding mechanisms for drawers towards other unfinished pieces Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016 at Taylor Cabinet Inc. near Lake Shore. Taylor's father started the cabinetry business in 1971, and Brent began taking up his father's craft in 1979.

Hadley, 6, and her sister Ada, 4, peek out their family's front door as Timpview students sing Christmas carols for them Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 in Provo. Timpview students went from door to door singing carols to raise money for Sub for Santa.

American Fork guard Rob Crowther (30) grimaces as guard Bronson Barron (10) misses a foul shot late in the fourth quarter with the Cavemen ahead 56-52 during a game between the Provo Bulldogs and the American Fork Cavemen on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 at American Fork High School.

Brigham Young Cougars guard TJ Haws (30) dribbles the ball behind his back while guarded by Santa Clara Broncos guard Jared Brownridge (23) during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Santa Clara Broncos on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Maple Mountain center Dawson Beutler (13) pumps up his teammates before a game between the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles and the Corner Canyon Chargers on Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 at Corner Canyon High School in Draper.

American Fork forward Zach McWhorter (44) looks up after falling to the floor on a play as Provo's Steffan Briggs (23) steps over him during a game between the Provo Bulldogs and the American Fork Cavemen on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 at American Fork High School.

David Carter, dressed as Santa Claus, exits a Christmas party Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 at the Quarnberg's home in Lindon. Carter has been dressing up as Santa for holiday parties the past 21 years.

David Carter holds Breckon Wood, 3, of Spanish Fork, during a holiday party Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 at the LDS Church located at 114 S 400 W in Orem.

David Carter dresses up as Santa Claus on Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 in a camping trailer outside of his home in American Fork. He dresses in the trailer so that his six young step children don't see him.

David Carter, center in blue, talks with a student Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 at Pleasant Grove High School. Carter has worked at Pleasant Grove High School for 13 years and spent the last three years as assistant principal.

Tom Carter, David's father, puts pictures of himself dressed as Santa Claus back on a shelf Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 at his home in Orem. Tom is a part of the second generation of the three generations of Santa Clauses in the Carter family.