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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Christmas came early for this group of Fort Carson friends and family as they welcomed home their loved ones.

The 150 soldiers spent the last nine months in Afghanistan with Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I'm glad to be he home to be honest with you, it was a long nine months but I'll do it again that's what I signed up for," Specialist Adrian Carrillo of the U.S. Army said.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom assuming responsibility of four provinces, partnering with three Afghan National Security Force Brigades, and assisted in establishing a fourth.

But for some of the soldiers, the hardest part of going overseas is trying to stay in contact with their family back at home.

"It was hard, I'm not going to lie, but we had family and my kids, and Skype and I talked to him as much as I could," Michelle Carrillo, a Fort Carson wife said.

Now that the whole family is back together it's time to celebrate, for Private First Class Cameron Wood that means admiring his girlfriend's welcome home banner.

As for the parents in the room it's time to focus on the little ones like Sgt. First Class Nicholas Lombard's 11-month old son.

"I would like him to walk, in a few more weeks, a few more weeks and he'll be good."

The celebration continues Wednesday afternoon when another 50 soldiers with the 4th Brigade Combat Team return home.