Mike decides to give Vanessa a family-free holiday for Christmas; Ed accidentally shoots a bald eagle.

Outdoor Man's longtime architect, Bill McKenzie (Richard Karn), faces professional competition from a young, attractive woman; Vanessa wonders if her recent promotion was based on looks or talent.

Despite having a good time teaching Eve how to drive, Mike thinks Vanessa should take over so she and Eve can bond; Mandy is annoyed by Mike's endless requests for Kyle to do work around the house.

Eve tries to avoid a class with a tough teacher so she can get straight A's and go to college at West Point.

Chuck and Mike debate the merits of an inner city school merging with a high school in an upscale neighborhood; Boyd's Halloween costume -- a lump of coal -- reminds Vanessa of her job's potential impact on the environment.

When Mike and Ed take Ryan and his supposedly-ailing dad, Victor, on their hunting trip, Victor admits he wasn't truthful about his reasons for finally coming to see Ryan. Meanwhile, Vanessa scrambles to get more family members to attend Ryan and Kristin's wedding.

Vanessa's mother comes to visit and hits it off with Ed; Mandy and Kyle tutor Boyd, but they may be the ones getting outsmarted.