How to best get into photography with the right DSLR?

This holiday season, I'm thinking of spending some of my saved money on a DSLR, because personally I can't stand point and shoots, and I love the outdoors. I've heard a lot of rave reviews about the Canon Rebel series, and Nikon too, but I'm not really sure where to start, and how to best take photographs and stuff. I know really nothing about lenses and that sort, so a little guidance would be helpful.

No such thing as a "DSLR" there's no prism to reflex and no shutter to open any digital camera with a screen shows exactly what the ccd sees anyway, any good 12-14Mp camera will do everything you need

I LOVE the Nikon d90. Amazing for beginner. The picture quality is amazing and all the manual settings are right at your finger tips. Which makes aperture/speed/iso so much easier to use and understand.

I have the 50mm f/1.8 lens. I'm happy with the lens, but I kinda wish I would have gotten the 35mm instead or the 18-55mm, still great though. There's so much to learn! I want to be able to take 'professional' looking pics of my friends and family.
Nothing special but here are my(beginner) pics.

I love Canons and will always stick by them. When looking for a DSLR it depends on how professional you want to go. I love my Canon 5D MkII which has a 24-70mm lens, which is a great standard lens to have.
If you are just starting out however there's the Canon 550D which often comes with a twin set of lens', one wide angle (around 18-55mm) and one telefocal (around 55-250mm). They aren't the greatest in terms of professionalism as they are often made from plastic but for an amateur and the price you would pay they are certainly still very acceptable. My first one was 2 models below this and I used it for much of my portfolio before I bought my 5D!

From what I've seen and heard, the rebel series is somewhat fragile which may not be ideal for outdoors use.

I'd say get an entry level model with a kit lens and a book. Read the book, shoot, go on flickr and join some feedback groups. Be constantly critical of your own work.

Harley Drive is misleading you when he denies the existence of DSLRs. The Canon Rebel series are true DSLRs as are the Nikon DSLRs such as D3100, D90. Sony also makes a good range of DSLRs.

I bought the first digital Rebel and I still keep it for back up. I invested in good lenses that traveled with me as I bought better Canons. I have the 40D as well now. I bought into Canon #1) because the studio I work for uses Canons #2) the variety of lenses and price was to my liking. Others swear by, Nikon it's a Coke or Pepsi type of debate. Just go hold them and see what feels right to you, you won't go wrong. Don't forget that Sony and Pentax are next on that list.