Two things to keep in mind, both alluded to here but bear repeating:
# Your camera is useless if left at home. If you’re not willing to carry around a bulkier, heavier camera, go with a point-and-shoot.
# Photos taken with a DSLR will look better, unquestionably. Even if you just use the PHD (Push Here, Dummy) mode, your shots will look great, and they’ll look even better if you read through the manual enough to understand aperture/shutter priority mode, etc. But expensive equipment can only take your photos so far. For the rest, you have to shoot, and shoot, and shoot some more. Just having the gear will not result in photos like Rannie’s.
#To get the same zoom range as a point-and-shoot, you’ll have to buy (and carry) several lenses for your DSLR.
That said, if you can make your peace with this, if you can swing the cash, and if you can commit a bit of time, absolutely go with a DSLR. They’re a whole lot of fun. Phil Greenspun just posted a “comprehensive review of the Canon Rebel XTi”:http://philip.greenspun.com/photography/canon/rebel-xti that includes lens recommendations. If you decide to go with Canon, this is your camera.