A middle-class, middle-American family of five tries to keep its collective head above water as they go through life's ups and downs.

Following a woman named Frankie, and her boisterous family, the Hecks. Her husband, Mike, her daughter, Sue, and her two sons, Axl, and Brick go on what you might call family adventures as they explore life and its meaning.

Mike and Frankie Heck watch their three crazy children grow up into young adults.