First timer Kitchen Tiler here...please help

[jamilsipes]

Actually Im not much with home improvement at all, but I'd like to start this summer. Kids are with granny all summer, so I have some spare time. I've attached some pics of a portion of my kitchen. I want to replace the tiling. What do I need to buy to replace. Any experienced onces out there? Thanks for any help!!!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/jamilsipes/4.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/jamilsipes/3.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/jamilsipes/2.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/jamilsipes/1.jpg

[Drywall DIY Guy]

Tiling

I don't think I would replace with tiling but look at a counter top. You will get water and food spills on this surface - this is perhaps why the tiles fell off. To tile in water areas, you need a rock-board type backer board.

A counter top will not cost much if any more than tile and will offer a nice smooth surface that is easy to maintain.

[tudor]

I don't think I would replace with tiling but look at a counter top. You will get water and food spills on this surface - this is perhaps why the tiles fell off. To tile in water areas, you need a rock-board type backer board.

A counter top will not cost much if any more than tile and will offer a nice smooth surface that is easy to maintain.

That was what I was thinking. I like tile but I sure don't like to clean the grout.

There are all kinds of cool counter materials too. I have a laminate one in my kitchen that was supposed to look like stainless but looks more like slate to me. Also, I'm told that there are now "granite veneer" surfaces available that cost about half of what the usual granite counter tops cost. They are basically a slab of granite that is about half as thick as usual, backed with wood. They are supposed to look just like regular granite tops when installed.