Upgrading from Rebel XS, help?

Hello there! I've been lurking about for roughly a month now, I'm usually uncomfortable posting on high traffic forums like this one, but I've learned a lot of things and seen a lot of beautiful photography in my short membership here. Now, I find myself in a photography pickle and I need advice.

I currently own an EOS Canon Rebel XS, about a month ago it went AWOL, it no longer works, at all, and I find this to be a sign that it's time to upgrade my body. I don't believe it to be worth the $200+ in repairs when I had been considering a new body anyway.

I'm a hobbyist, at best. The extent of my photography is taking pictures of my sons (3 month old and 5 year old), and my cats. Occasionally my husband's cars as well.

I would really love some suggestions of what I should upgrade to from the XS for those purposes.

I would like to stay under $800 for a body only. If I can get something I know will be good for relatively cheap I would be ecstatic.

The lenses I currently own are the 18-55mm kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 II.

To be honest, I wouldn't consider myself very good (you are your own worst critic right?), I'm still learning a lot of things. I would say I'm a little bit above beginner. Which I'm sad to say because I've had my camera for over two years.

I've been looking into the T2i and the T3i, those are my main interests right now, but I'm honestly just curious to what anyone else would suggest! Or perhaps even just what you would pick from those two.

Here are a few example of my photos:
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …98/LuvzDog89/IM​G_0251.jpg
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …98/LuvzDog89/IM​G_0274.jpg
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …98/LuvzDog89/IM​G_0295.jpg
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …98/LuvzDog89/IM​G_0050.jpg
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …98/LuvzDog89/IM​G_9717.jpg
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …cc298/LuvzDog89​/013-1.jpg
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …cc298/LuvzDog89​/024-2.jpg
http://i217.photobucke​t.com …cc298/LuvzDog89​/027-2.jpg

Thank you in advance to anyone who finds time to reply!

Hi, welcome to the forum, you have some nice photos there. Either of those 2 bodies are extremely capable, if you are ever going to try video the T3i with the tilt and twist screen will be handy. It's also handy for those low shots of the cats
David

Welcome, if you don't need 1080P video and the flip out screen, then the T3 would be a great start, it's a nice camera a friend of mine has just got one. And you can get it for well under the $800 with the 18-55 IS II lens which also will be a nice upgrade from your current lens. If you shop around you will get this for around $450 . You could then sell you older lens for a little bit and still have money left over for maybe a flash gun like the 430EX II and of course a new flash card as you will ned SD memory.

You can also consider a 50D second hand ... really cheap and way better quality ... a clear update from your current Rebel

My wife has the rebel XS (1000D) there is a marked difference in performance with the T3i (600D)
Its worth getting the body and kit lens, the new 18-55 has IS (nice to have), and if bundled only adds $50 to the price and still under your budget at $750. You can sell the one you have on ebay, in fact you can sell the broken camera for spares...ohh, just a thought check out the Canon loyalty programme. there could be a good deal to be had there

i'm not sure but I think the XS (1000d) 18-55(kit lens) has IS same that comes with newer rebels t1i,t2i,t3i etc
I would recomend looking at a new T4i body only for under 800 if you look around or around 600 if you dont mind pre-owned then spend the remainder money on Yongnuo YN-560 II Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon. GN58.

I've been lurking for months but thought I'd come out to reply to this one.

I just upgraded a week ago from the XS to the T4i. Though I'm also just a hobbyist and have a lot to learn, I definitely saw an improvement in my photos. ISO performance, articulating screen, AF tracking in video, touch screen (which, as a newb, I find quite useful!) etc, I think the T4i does just about everything better.

If it weren't in the budget, I'd be just as happy with the T2i or T3i.