Dec. 31--A circle of chairs faced the projection screen. Four adult men stood, waving arms randomly over their heads.

Welcome to the Fell family reunion, with the central attraction being a Nintendo Wii video game system.

"The family that Wiis together, stays together," Judy Burnham said, laughing.

More than 30 family members traveled from California, Indiana, Dothan and Mobile to take part in the reunion being held at Decatur's Holiday Inn.

The family decided to gather in Decatur their first reunion in five years.

Shawn and Katie Burnham moved to California in August and traveled back to Decatur to visit Katie's family.

She grew up here.

"We are a unique family," Danny Fell said Sunday. "The world does not get in the way; we go to cookouts together, ballgames together and we travel together."

The family visited local attractions, including Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and Cook's Natural Science Museum, but is mainly drawn to the Wii.

"We went to Wheeler because Wii needed a rest," said Wanda Fell.

The family brought three Wii systems.

"One is hooked up to the projection screen, one is in a hotel room for the kids, and another one is still in the box, but there in case we need it," Judy Burnham said.

The projection screen was set up in a public room near the pool.

Operated by a wireless remote control, Wii mimics players' movements.

"Throw the ball like you would throw a real ball," Brian Feagin advised as the animated player moved in front of the bowling lane.

"It's just like you're really bowling -- make the same movements."

The Wii became one of the hottest gifts this holiday season, appealing to a wide range of ages and video game users.

Every member of the family plays except the matriarch, 85-year-old Norma Fell.

"That electronic game isn't for me ... This is more my style," she said, holding a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles.

Although Wii gaming is gaining popularity in the Fell family, another activity still overshadows it -- college football.

Wii competition was expected to give way Sunday evening to a telecast of Alabama's Independence Bowl victory over Colorado.

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