In the most unlikely of places, four siblings find a loving shelter in an unexpected turn of circumstances. This endearing comedy-drama draws inspiration from actual events and deftly crafts a gripping story that unites everyone.
After his sister Janet and her husband pass away, Michael "Mike" Maxwell is dragged away from his Chicago job.
As social worker Gretchen Rice searches for a foster home that will accept his nephews Justice, Junior, Samuel, and Simon Kicklighter, he finds himself in the position of caring for them in rural Ohio.
Unruly, home schooled, and involved in risky recreational activities, the Kicklighter Kids reside on a farm.
Mike's advisor Carol threatens to hand the project over to Devin, who has no experience and whom Mike obviously hates, even though Mike is supposed to close a Realtor deal for a train yard.
As Mike gradually gets used to their rural lifestyle, the Kicklighter Kids make him think quickly.
He connects with them through Janet, who taught them ballet at her dance studio in town.
Mike will not let the two younger Kicklighters go, even though a couple offers to take them.
Mike manages to get an invitation to the mansion of wealthy socialite Al Wilmington for a Christmas party, as the children compete for his home.
A girl named Mia, who also attended the dance studio, is revealed to be Justice's partner while they are there.
Mike quickly makes friends with everyone there, but the kids ruin a nativity display with a golf cart that sinks in the pool, making it less likely that Al will foster them.
Rose, a prospect he met, turns out to be pursuing him only for financial gain and betrays him, so Mike is forced to reject her.
Infuriated, Carol rejects Mike for Devin, but he keeps looking for possible foster homes.
In order to obtain funding and possibly increase the children's chances of being fostered, Mike is motivated by Junior's "better" version of The Nutcracker ballet to produce it for the neighborhood theater.
After Mike persuades Mia to join the performance, Justice first declines.
Gretchen mentions during the performance that Mike has become unwittingly attached to his nephews as a result of his search for a foster family, something he has refused to admit.
As he continues to insist that his actions are beneficial (referring to the children as a "pain in the ass"), the Kicklighters overhear him.
Before the performance begins, the children vanish, just as Carol calls back to let Mike know that he is needed after all.
Mike tells everyone that the play has been canceled, but it turns out that the children have substituted their parents' memorial for an outdoor performance.
As they stand in the street, everyone watches the play with delight.
Justice uses his prop sword to stab Mike while he pretends to be hurt during the performance.
At last, he realizes how much he loves his nephews and congratulates them, vowing to always be there for them.
The street is filled with celebrations.
Based on a previous remark about the children wanting to ride off a ramp, Mike is shown to have purchased Justice an ATV during the credits.
The two are shown to have failed the jump in the audio after the credits have rolled.
