
Told from the perspective of an unseen documentary filmmaker, the series offers an honest, often-hilarious perspective of family life. Parents Phil and Claire yearn for an honest, open relationship with their three kids. But a daughter who is trying to grow up too fast, another who is too smart for her own good, and a rambunctious young son make it challenging. Claire's dad, Jay, and his Latina wife, Gloria, are raising two sons together, but people sometimes believe Jay to be Gloria's father. Jay's gay son, Mitchell, and his partner, Cameron, have adopted a little Asian girl, completing one big -- straight, gay, multicultural, traditional -- happy family.

Phil stumbles into an exciting new career after visiting Luke's college; Claire deals with her dad and the merger of Pritchett's Closets with a tech-savvy, hipper company; Mitch's new high-profile case is marred by an unflattering courtroom sketch.

Phil is determined to scare Claire on Halloween; Gloria feels self-conscious about her age when someone correctly assumes she is Jay's wife; Mitch and Cam go to the WeHo Halloween Carnival after Lily decides to go to her first Halloween party alone.

Haley is forced to make a decision; Manny returns to college and dorm life; Sherry may be overstaying her welcome at Jay and Gloria's.

Mitch, Cam and Phil crash Jay's annual hiking trip to find an elusive bald eagle after Gloria asks them to keep an eye on him; Gloria, Alex, Claire and Haley get together to plan her baby shower.