I've got a Nikon DSLR and a few lenses (a telephoto, a macro, and another 'regular' one - all in all a coupla grand spent on brand new stuff from Best Buy), and I love the pics I get with mine, even just on the 'automatic' setting. I'm FAR from an expert, but I totally agree with the previous comments. The expense is in the lenses and accessories, not the camera body. I've seen the pics that Kris got with his camera, and they're spectacular. Also worth noting is that getting a good photo editing software will become important in a hurry. I'm saving up to get Lightroom ($140 to buy it, or $10/month for a subscription). Or you could go whole hog and get Photoshop.
And I have a strong suspicion that cameras are like saltwater tank equipment - if you get what you really want at the beginning, you will spend less in the end. Going cheap in the beginning is the best way to spend a lot of money before you are done.