The Tuftes

Mousketeer on the way.

We landed.

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We’re going to Disneyworld!

Taggart and Elyse are excited.

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Two week report

As of tomorrow, Friday the 28th of May, I’ve been home two weeks and there’s been lots of activity.

We put in a bunch of grapes, fruit trees, and haskap bushes. Around here, plants like that require a deer fence if you want to eat any of the produce yourself.

Yesterday, Taggart got a haircut like his dad and he’s pretty happy with it.

The other big event these first two weeks was the Fargo Marathon. We’re cultivating a running culture in the family. So far, Jerod, Mylynn, Taggart, Jessica, Matt, Isaac and Sophie are signed on. After Friday’s 5k fun run, Jerod ran the marathon.

After reading Born to Run, Jerod was intrigued by barefoot running so he had to get some Vibram Fivefingers shoes.

Goodbye to Camp Bondsteel

I’ll be leaving soon, and I should really take a few more pictures around the place to remember it by. In anticipation of doing some of that tomorrow, I’ll start with a couple tonight.

Camp Bondsteel Parade Grounds

Home Sweet Bondsteel

Where's the beef?

Ready for the beach

Ta Da!

Here Comes Trouble!

Easter Sunday

Mema & Papa with the kids

Easter Candy!

Taggart is getting pretty funky

Funky Taggart (local file)

We're planning for Jerod to be home mid-May

NEWS RELEASE: Some North Dakota Soldiers in Kosovo to Return in May
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Yesterday at 9:36am
BISMARCK, N.D. — An announcement yesterday from Headquarters of the U.S. Army in Europe indicated that about 550 U.S. Soldiers serving with Kosovo Force (KFOR) 12, Multi-National Battle Group-East, will be returning home before summer. About 160 Soldiers of the 231st Maneuver Task Force (231st Brigade Support Battalion), Valley City, N.D., and the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of North Dakota are expected home in May versus the initial July or August mission end date.

According to U.S. Army Europe, “the change is in response to the improving security situation throughout Kosovo, brought about by the hard work and cooperation of the citizens and institutions in Kosovo. Under the Deterrent Presence plan [which is how Multi-National Battle Group-East is organized for operations], military forces throughout Kosovo have been adjusted from 14,000 to a total force size of 10,000, by order of the North Atlantic Council, the civilian body that oversees NATO.”

Soldiers in California, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, Kansas and North Dakota are all impacted by this change. The decision on which specific Soldiers return in May is being made based on particular positions and capabilities required by the ongoing mission.

Soldiers affected by this change are being notified and will be personally informing their families of their return date. [truncated]