Cameron goes to great lengths to preserve the romance and is not ready to conclude his honeymoon with Mitchell. Gloria asks Jay to make over his appearance. The Dunphys must ready themselves for the end of their perfect summer, but when Alex comes back from a humanitarian trip, chaos immediately returns to the household.
Gloria and Jay decide between a sentimental and an expensive gift for their anniversary. The Dunphys visit Caltech and Alex has a realization about college. Mitch and Cam want to make a new family portrait.
Phil has to change his plans when a cold plagues his brothers-in-law's wedding video. Meanwhile, Jay, Gloria, and Cam disagree about Manny's place in the high school football team. Mitchell makes a new enemy in Lily's friend Sydney, who happens to be a genius.
The Dunphys have to temporarily leave their house and live in a hotel. Meanwhile, Manny dates a girl who is much older and more popular than he is. Cameron has trouble with Mitchell's presence, which is preventing Cameron from maintaining his team's winning streak.
Phil and Claire are less than enthusiastic while meeting their new obnoxious neighbors. Jay learns that Manny's new girlfriend is also his former business partner's granddaughter. Mitchell and Cameron discover something about Lily's unsympathetic teacher.
The third Halloween special of the series. Phil takes over Claire's annual Halloween in order to make a fest of his own. Jay, who refuses to wear a Shrek costume that Gloria bought for him, prefers to be Prince Charming instead. Cameron is overwhelmed by the day's activities and Mitchell has closing arguments for a case.
Phil and Claire are unaware of whether they should be happy or concerned that Haley and Andy are spending a lot of time together — though they soon find out that things are just not as they appear. Gloria is pushing Manny to learn Spanish instead of French and hires a Spanish tutor, Diego, who — much to Manny and Jay's chagrin — also happens to be very handsome. Meanwhile, Mitch and Cam meet a popular news reporter at a school function and one of them piques her journalistic interest.
Phil is cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year with Luke as his "sous-chef". Claire has no confidence in them and prepares a secret turkey of her own as backup. Jay and Gloria had plans to spend the holiday away, but when the trip gets canceled at the last minute they decide not to tell anyone. Mitch is tired of always being the bad cop and forces Cameron to deal with Lily's refusal to wear a nice dress to dinner.
When Alex tells Phil and Claire she has a boyfriend, they worry the pressure they have put on her caused her to make up an imaginary boyfriend. Jay and Gloria both have parties that they are dragging one another to, but Jay has a clever plan to get himself out of it. It's too bad Manny just might spoil everything. Mitch and Cam get a beautiful white couch, but it is threatened by Brenda, a co-worker who is staying with them.
For her 21st birthday, Haley goes to a bar with the adults. Claire tries too hard to be Haley's friend and forgets to be Haley's mother. Mitch and Cam realize that they are not as cool as they thought. Also, Jay and Phil struggle with Haley's gift, a new car. Alex, Luke, and Manny babysit Lily, who asks where babies come from.
While driving out to get breakfast, the Dunphys and Manny have a near-death experience, causing everyone to reevaluate their lives. Claire resolves to be more fun and less uptight, Haley and Alex agree not to fight anymore, Manny refuses to ever ride in a car again, Luke wants to check off his bucket list, Phil decides to be a take action type of guy, and the rest of the family has to bear the brunt of all the new attitudes.
Claire is furious about neighbors Ronnie and Amber's eyesore of a boat on their front lawn and it soon becomes an all-out war when Phil calls in the "big guns" as back up -- his dad Frank and all his retired friends to give them a taste of their own medicine. Elsewhere, Jay is trying to potty train Joe but Gloria does not think he is ready yet, and Cam secretly takes Lily to clown school behind Mitchell's back.
Luke begins to distance from Phil, who makes Andy his new right hand man. Gloria discovers that Joe may be allergic to Stella. Mitchell starts doing freelance legal work at Jay's company. Alex has a college interview with Princeton.
The fourth Valentine's Day special of the series. Phil and Claire reprise their roles of Juliana and Clive Bixby, but Phil may be more into Juliana than his wife. Sonia (Stephanie Beatriz), Gloria's sister, is in town, putting Jay in an awkward situation. Mitchell and Cameron visit their friend Anders.
Phil and Claire return from a long reunion weekend with Phil's buddies, but Claire takes the only First Class seat on their flight home. Jay teaches Manny how to defend himself against a bully who attends cooking classes with him. Mitchell, Cameron, Pepper, and their friends organize a baby shower for Sal.
Claire's computer becomes the hub of all the family's activities when she gets stuck at the airport and is desperate to reach Haley after a big fight. After FaceTiming with Phil and the rest of the family to help track her down, Claire quickly turns to online snooping that inevitably becomes disturbing real quick and everyone gets sucked into the online drama.
Claire and Jay have to participate at a closet advertising. Meanwhile, Phil, Luke, and Manny help Gloria to protect her privacy. Cam panics when he discovers that Lilly has a recital but sings off tune and Andy gets appendicitis.
Luke begins to outperform Phil at seemingly everything, Claire cleans everywhere and Haley takes Alex to a music festival. Jay and Gloria have to give up one vice, but Cam and Mitch's presence may interfere with their plans.
Jay's birthday comes with a number of interesting gifts, including Phil's high-tech outdoor grill, and Claire and Mitchell's offer to pay back some ancient loans—though they don't think he'll actually accept it. Meanwhile, Gloria teaches Manny and Luke a lesson about drinking; and Andy finds himself in an awkward situation when Haley brings her new doctor boyfriend.
Jay agrees to sub in on Cam's bowling team for the finals but Cam wasn't fully upfront about it being an all gay league, that puts Jay in a precarious position. Phil and Claire have a surprisingly good time with unlikely dinner companions, their neighbors Ronnie and Amber, and Gloria and Mitch agree to go clubbing with Haley to prove they're still young and fun but they didn't anticipate the pre-party portion of the night.
Jay and Phil retrieve Lily's old Princess Castle for Joe, although both are currently angry at their wives, while Mitchell and Cameron have their hands full babysitting Joe himself. Meanwhile, Gloria helps Haley stand up for herself at work while Claire attempts to bribe Luke's Principal into giving him an award.
Alex learns she has to share valedictorian honors with a rival, but the tie could be broken by a 1-mile run for a gym grade neither has completed. Meanwhile, Gloria studies for her U.S. citizenship test, but is distracted by a visit from Javier; and Mitchell and Cameron join a protest against a restaurant where they actually can't wait to dine.
As Claire is approached in order to work in a hotel, she worries about Jay's feelings to see her departure from his company. Manny has wisdom teeth removed, letting Gloria ruin his sentimental life. Phil, Haley and Luke try to convince Alex to try senior skip day. Mitch and Cam worry about why Lily acts apathetic.
Phil is stuck in Seattle because of an ear infection while on a business trip but finds a creative way to keep in touch with his family as Alex graduates. Gloria's cousin gets on Jay's nerves. Andy has to choose between Haley and Beth. Haley thinks that Beth is out to get her because of her feelings for Andy. Claire wants to find a better gift for her daughter after Jay gives her a trip to Europe. Mitchell does not know how to tell Cameron, who suspects that Mitchell is cheating on him, that he