Little People, Big World

- Season 8

(2009)

Ten years after he began building Molly's Castle, Matt is dead set on completing what's become his most drawn-out and costly farm attraction. Amy begrudgingly approves until Matt's budget on the project begins to swell.

Amy helps Molly get ready for her first high school formal dance, but it's a bittersweet experience because it's also Zach and Jeremy's last.

When Matt's doctor says he'll need major spine surgery within 6 months, he decides to start checking items off his "bucket list". Against Amy's wishes, and despite his declining health, Matt takes Jeremy skiing.

Zach is in his final high school soccer season and due to his dwarfism, this could be his last chance to play competitively in an average height league. But when poor grades get him benched, Zach must scramble to improve them before the season ends.

As the twins' senior year of high school flies by, it's clear that Zach and Jeremy are not ready for higher education. Amy takes them to tour a local college, but the boys are way behind the curve in applying and getting accepted to a university.

It's Matt against the whole family as Amy encourages the kids' desire to have their friends over in their newly remodeled home. The result is chaos and clutter. Matt fights back by organizing the jumbled mess in the basement, which Amy uses for storage.

When Matt plans a Caribbean sailing vacation on a week that Amy can't get off work, the scheduling conflict divides the family. Upset that it won't be a true family vacation without his mom, Zach leads the charge to mutiny against his dad.

Matt travels with Jeremy, Jacob, Papa Ron and two buddies to the beautiful British Virgin Islands for an adventurous sailboat cruise. But Matt's increasing lack of mobility leaves him on the sidelines while the other guys enjoy all the activities.

Jacob turns 12 and his parents give him a cell phone, but when he racks up an outrageous bill -- with over 8,000 texts -- Matt and Amy doubt whether Jake is ready for the responsibility.

Zach takes the first step toward his aspirations of becoming a soccer coach when he leads Jacob's soccer camp. Taking control as coach proves to be a struggle and Zach wonders if he's got what it takes.

Mother's Day weekend is also the twins' 19th birthday, and Matt shocks everyone by announcing that he's going to Hawaii - alone. Feeling abandoned, Amy does her best to plan a fun camping trip for the kids.

When Molly risks losing her perfect 4.0 GPA when she fails a test. In an effort to master Spanish, she stops speaking English altogether. Meanwhile, the twins' visit to a local university seems pointless as their senior year grades continue to flounder.

It's a Roloff family first as Matt, Amy and all the kids rough it on a Utah dude ranch. Cattle-drives and a fun poker game add to the excitement, and everyone waits to see whether or not Matt will get on a horse.

With lots of dude ranch fun yet in store, Matt decides to leave the trip early. After Matt skips several activities, he goes home, leaving Amy to finish another vacation alone with the kids.

Amy goes to Florida where she's the keynote speaker at a charity fundraiser and golf tournament. While she's there, she volunteers at a relief organization and has an inspiring visit to a children's home.

Matt escorts the Salman family out of Baghdad into Washington, DC and on to Roloff Farms. The Iraqi family experiences a cultural whirlwind as they emigrate to America with the hope of finding freedom and getting life-saving surgeries for their children.

As Matt and Amy's relationship continues to deteriorate, Matt slips into mid-life crisis. His spending goes over the top and he buys two Mercedes sedans at a time when he's still paying off their big home remodel.

After months of increasing problems with his hearing, Zach learns he needs ear surgery. But what begins as a short and simple procedure, becomes a lengthy reconstruction of Zach's eardrum.

Amy and Matt's families gather for the twins' pre-graduation party. Jeremy surprises everyone by making the honor roll -- but when Zach's report card includes a failing grade, no one knows whether he'll even be getting his diploma.

It's a 19-year milestone as the Roloff twins graduate from high school. Despite being uncertain about what his future holds and just barely making the grade, Zach approaches this transition with maturity.