Loren plans a trip to Bolivia to prove he is not getting old; Brian seeks to prove his courage by camping out alone. The two become inadvertent allies as they battle the advances of a hungry bear. Also, Jake and Hank's practical jokes get out of hand, culminating in injuries to them both, until they agree to make up

Sully takes a job as an Indian Agent, only to discover corruption's rife within the system. Meanwhile, liquor arrives on the reservation, and Snow Bird miscarries due to malnutrition.

With no child-protection laws, and influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, Mike has a girl removed from her ""guardian"" by taking the man to court and trying him for animal abuse. Mary Ann: Doren Fein.

After discovering a badly injured Loren, Sully must battle his own demons in order to save him.

Loren proposes to Dorothy but suffers a stroke before she can give him an answer. Meanwhile, Sully feels obliged to act upon an old friend's written request to help him set up a mining operation in Nevada.

As Colorado Springs prepares for Christmas, the family receives a rambunctious toy poodle from Mike's mother in Boston, and Brian has a case of puppy love for a new girl in town. The Rev. Johnson recruits folk for a Nativity pageant. Sara Sheehan: Jann Michaels. Mrs. Sheehan: Susanna Thompson.

Increasing lawlessness in Colorado Springs sparks a demand for a new sheriff, and Matthew feels he's just the man for the job. Meanwhile, Brian succumbs to peer pressure shoplifting a toy train from Loren's store. Zachary Brett: Travis Tritt. Charles: John Christian Graas.