Mad Photography Skills...emphasis on "mad"

Two years ago, my husband and I were awarded a fabulous trip of a lifetime. Hawaii! Our airfare, hotel, much food, paid for. It was with a large group of people that sell this brand of buildings and if you sell enough, you get to go on this fabulous trip.

Knowing my camera was gying and the batteries would no longer hold a charge, we decided to purchase a new one before we left.  Nothing special, just a point and shoot Hp photosmart.  This was the view outside our room:

And this is the two of us at the luau... not such grand picure quality is it? I know, the very kind guy who offered to set aside his 15inch lense, to use our supberb point and shoot couldn't have been more excited abou this!

And then we have our dinner at the Kona Brewing Co. Like our friends?

What's that? You can't really make out any faces? That was my 7th attempt my dear friends! Imagine me not so thrilled with our impulse purchase at this time. And yes, I politely chose the picture in which my husband is cut off (that's his knee and partial arm on the bottom right) because it showed a look of disgust at his wife who is taking so long to get 1 snapshot! (remember that hockey post where Jackson was rolling his eyes at me... wonder where he gets that from!)

And its not at all limited to the glorious trip of a lifetime. Christmas program at church?

This one actually turned out decent, if kept small. Don't try to print it, its as if you are looking through an hourglass with all the grains!

And last but not least, Christmas Eve in front of the fire.

I assure you that the whole living room is not on fire, despite what this picture may show!

So, I am fed up, and now in the market once again for a new camera. I am hoping hoping hoping, to use up our Cablela's points to buy a very nice one. Of course this limits me to what Cabela's carries, but I am going to suggest that those outdoorsman take their picture taking seriously and have some nice camera's out there!

So, I am curious- what kind of camera do you use?

Is it a point and shoot? Does it point and shoot a good picture?

Are you a hard core SLR camera kinda gal? ( I hope to be!)

Does your camera go "click" and you wind the wheel to advance the film?

Camera woes out there? What do you stay away from?