Hi Karn,
Add one more vote for the 18-250 - Pentax or Tamron = same lens (though Pentax version may have better coatings?). I've got the Pentax and it has been nearly perma-bonded to my K10D since the day I bought it.
I have the K20D and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 mated together as well. And that combo is as Forrest Gump would say "like peas and carrots".
Might I also suggest some reading material to help you wrap your brain around things...
First, get the Magic Lantern Guide for whichever body you buy. It's basically a detailed operators manual for your camera that actually makes sense of all the buttons and dials and menus.
Then, buy both Understanding Exposure and Understanding Shutter Speed by Bryan Peterson - and read them and do the exercises. You'll come away knowing what your camera can do and what you can accomplish as a photographer so much better as a result.