College football coach Tom Baker](/actor/steve-martin) is the dedicated father of twelve children, each of whom he has raised with love and determination in the small town of Midland, Illinois. The children—ranging from the enthusiastic Nora (Hilary Duff), the laid-back Charlie (Tom Welling), the contemplative Lorraine (Hilary Duff), and the adventurous Henry (Kevin G. Schmidt), to their quirky siblings Sarah (Alyson Stoner), Jake (Jacob Smith), Mark (Forrest Landis), Jessica (Liliana Mumy), Kim (Morgan York), Mike (Blake Woodruff), Kyle (Brent Kinsman), and even the twin boys, Nigel (Shane Kinsman)—all contribute to the lively and often chaotic atmosphere of their home. Every year, Tom devotes himself to coaching at a local college, spending a lot of time and money to ensure that his large family stays afloat.
His supportive wife, Kate, has penned their family's adventures in a heartwarming book that she dreams will one day be published. Having grown up in large families herself, Kate longed for a bustling household, while Tom, passionate about football, associated his success with his dream job as a coach. Their love story blossomed back at the Illinois Polytechnic University, where their fates intertwined as they aspired to build their lives and careers together. However, after the arrival of their first three kids, they realized that nurturing their expanding family held greater importance than their individual ambitions, prompting them to make significant sacrifices for a fulfilling family life.
Life takes an unexpected turn when Tom accepts an enticing offer from his friend and fellow coach Shake McGuire (Richard Jenkins) to lead the football team at his alma mater in Evanston. This decision places immense strain on the family, particularly when the children express their reluctance to leave behind their friends in Midland. To make matters worse, the transition to their new home is fraught with challenges as the dynamics of their household shift and tensions rise. Charlie struggles in his new environment, while Mark feels increasingly alienated from the family.
As their new neighbors, Tina (Paula Marshall) and Bill Shenk (Alan Ruck), introduce their son Dylan (Steven Anthony Lawrence) to the family, the chaos accentuates, especially after an uproarious initial playdate that ends with Dylan swinging from the chandelier—much to everyone's amusement. Meanwhile, Tom tries to support his ambitious plans for the family while keeping up with his newfound responsibilities.
While Kate embarks on her book tour, Tom enlists Nora and her self-absorbed boyfriend Hank (Ashton Kutcher) to help maintain some semblance of order. However, the siblings soon realize that they cannot withstand Hank’s ineptitude with children, leading to a series of pranks designed to humiliate him. Amidst the laughter and chaos, the house remains a whirlwind of activity; a night filled with mishaps, accidents, and emotional confrontations unfolds, prompting Tom to reconsider the price of his dreams.
As the children feel neglected and misunderstood, they act out, with incidents ranging from school bullying to unexpected family fights breaking out in a whirlwind of emotions and misunderstandings. When calamity strikes during a birthday party, it becomes clear that the Baker's family dynamics have soured. Frustration reaches its peak when Charlie is benched from the team and blames Tom for choosing his career over his family.
In a pivotal moment, Nora discovers Hank's troubling nature, leading her to break free from his grasp and realign herself with her family's values. With the help of her siblings, she instills hope into their search for the missing Mark after a tragic loss brings everyone to a breaking point. As they reunite and address their individual grievances, a heartwarming moment arises when they decide to hold a small funeral for Mark’s beloved pet frog, Beans, symbolizing healing and acceptance within their family.
Ultimately, Tom comes to recognize that his dream job can’t replace the irreplaceable bonds of family. He chooses to resign, pledging to prioritize their relationships over career ambitions, while Kate celebrates the success of her bestselling book. In the end, the Bakers find joy in each other’s company during Christmas, as they create cherished memories and solidify their bonds, proving that no matter what changes come their way, the love of family can overcome all obstacles.
