Jason and Maggie want to sell the house and retire, causing a rift between real estate agent Ben, who could use the listing, and Mike and Carol, who hate the thought of their childhood home being with another family.
Hearing a college rival has won a Pulitzer Prize makes Maggie take stock of her life. Meanwhile, Ben and Mike quarrel over a ploy to get money from their parents.
Luke's trucking father, George, returns, hoping to take Luke on the road with him. But it turns out George's trucking days might be coming to an end, and Jason and Ben pitch in to haul a load.
Ben realizes he can't have his cake and eat it too when he ignores a girl to try and land another, but takes issue when the first girl then falls for Luke.
The Christmas spirit is on short supply, with Mike and Carol jealous of Kate and Dwight, while Jason is over-controlling in the decorating of the family tree.
Ben crams for a college entrance exam, but an overheard rude comment from Jason leaves him down. Carol and Dwight start to have feelings for each other.
Nouveau riche neighbors move in next door; Ben is forced to look after Luke on his first day of high school; Jason's scheme to let Chrissy stay up late backfires when the neighbors throw a lavish party.
Carol accompanies Maggie to a resort, which turns out to be hosting a singles convention; meanwhile, the all-male weekend planned at home is ruined when Chrissy is sent home with head lice.
Luke is afraid to visit the doctor, so Jason accompanies him. When it turns out Jason needs surgery, he places Mike in charge of organizing his annual banquet.
When Luke runs away, Mike must choose between trying to find him, or filming his first lines for a soap opera. Meanwhile, Carol earns new friends when they discover her brother's soon to be on TV.
Mike's first day teaching remedial students isn't as easy as he expected. Carol's dormitory experience isn't what she'd hoped. Ben and Chrissy have rough first days of class.