Liz, your plans for the new trees sound wonderful. Because you'll be in a warmer zone, those trees will grow a lot faster than you think.
Good luck to you and Jeff getting them planted, I know it's exciting to get more trees in ahead before your move.
My DH planted Cryptomerias in front of our current home when we 1st moved in, and over 14 years they grew tremendously, and reached to top of the house. We won't be planting these at our new home, when they dropped their old branches, it was just too messy.
I agree with LG, it would be fun to see the progress of your peonies in AL, The plants here have begun leaf out. I hope to check on mine this weekend.
And yes, more rain here this weekend, at least it's going to be much warmer.
