i have the same issue...i need something wider. i'm considering a tamron 17-50 mm f/2.8 for that
it's around $400, fast, and it's gotten awesome reviews!!
(i would LOOOOVE the nikkor version, but it's $1400. actually what i would kill for is the nikkor 18-200 f/2.8, but that's, like, out of my league).
jill, your kit lens should be wide enough and work for group shots...but it's not the best lens out there, you know?