Avery Jennings and Tyler James are step-siblings who are complete opposites. The family faces an even bigger adjustment when their new dog, Stan, can talk and also has a blog, unbeknownst to the family. Stan uses his blog to discuss the happenings in the Jennings-James household. Avery and Tyler later learn of Stan's talking ability and agree to keep it a secret from their parents.
When Tyler and Avery are given a dog that talks, they agree on one thing: Stan's ability to speak must be kept a secret from everyone, even their parents.
After Tyler gets his learner's permit, he wants to drive alone due to his parents annoying him, and everyone wanting taking advantage of him. Chaos ensues when Stan crashes the car because he wanted to be like a person, and everyone thinks Tyler did it. Meanwhile, Ellen and Bennett relive the memories they shared with Tyler and Avery when they were kids and realize that they are all grown-up, so they start cherishing memories with Chloe. In flashbacks, it is revealed that Ellen and Bennett had an ugly run-in at the park when Avery and Tyler were much younger, however they do not remember this.
Avery and her best friend, Lindsay (Kayla Maisonet), are in desperate need for a replacement to be the school mascot to perform at the homecoming game. Stan convinces Avery to let him be the school mascot, but she is worried because the rival team always pulls horrible pranks on the mascots. Meanwhile, Ellen is beyond annoyed because the car always smells horribly bad, so she persuades Bennett into buying a new car.
After Tyler develops a crush on their new neighbor, Nikki Ortiz (Denyse Tontz), he invites her to walk their dogs together. Tyler enlists Stan to be his wing-man, and to Stan's dismay, he cannot stand Nikki's Pomeranian, Evita, due to her incessant barking. Meanwhile, Chloe asks Bennett to speak at Career Day about his job, but Bennett is shocked when Chloe believes he is a sock-ologist, a person who studies socks, instead of a psychologist.
Stan has been addicted to a game called Realm of the Tower, where he has made a new friend Kilgor (Kevin). When the game-players are gathering at the park, Stan asks Avery to pretend to be him so they can go and meet his gaming companions. Meanwhile, Chloe has been begging to get her ears pierced, but Ellen and Bennett refuse to take her, so she tricks Tyler into taking her much to Ellen's dismay.
It is the family's first Christmas together and Avery is prepping Tyler, Chloe, and Stan because Ellen has a reputation of giving horrible gifts. Meanwhile, Bennett and Ellen argue over whose Christmas traditions to follow.