BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Sgt. Nathan Carter came home on Tuesday to a new house.

The larger house, which has a room already bathed in pink, was necessary to accommodate his twin baby girls, whom his wife, Jennifer, is expecting to give birth to this summer. She got pregnant while he was on rest and recuperation from Iraq.

How did she break the news to him that it was going to be twins?

"Very carefully," she said. "I first told him that we’re going to need a bigger car."

Carter, of 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, was among 280 soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team who filed into the Hall Of Champions on Friday. They were the first large number of Baumholder troops to return after a nearly 15-month tour in Iraq; the rest should be returning in waves until early June.

Eddie King Jr., 8, held five balloons as he waited for the first glimpse of his dad, Staff Sgt. Eddie D. King, of 4th Battalion 27th Field Artillery.

"I’m not going to let him out of my sight," the youngster said.

As the soldiers entered the gymnasium, the crowd of family members and friends hollered with glee. Flashbulbs popped and signs were waved. With the shout of a single word — "Dismissed!" — the crowd rushed toward the soldiers. Then there were many hugs and kisses, as well as a few tears.

"It feels good to be home," said Staff Sgt. Todd Tribby of 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment.

Two of his three children clung to his legs, while his wife, Toxey, held a sign that read: "Daddy take me to Disney World." They already have their reservations booked.

While the kids eagerly anticipated the Magic Kingdom, Toxey Tribby said she was "looking forward to being a family again."

"One year is too long," she added.

Staff Sgt. Michael Melnyk, of 4th Battalion 27th Field Artillery, hadn’t seen his son, Christian, since he was born four months ago.

"It’s hard," he said, about being deployed with a newborn at home. "You are not there to see all the little things like watching him roll over or seeing his first smile."

Also holding his son for the first time since birth was Staff Sgt. Ruben Garcia of 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry.

"It just feels great," he said. "He’s gotten so big. I almost didn’t recognize him."

After a few hugs and some pictures, Garcia left with his wife, Judith. She had his favorite dish, Mexican barbecue, waiting for him at home.

"I can’t wait for him to get to spend some time with this little one," she said.

A half-hour after the soldiers were dismissed, the gym sat vacant. There was no time to waste after such a long time apart.