First sounds like Kousa dogwood, second is perhaps a maple.

I can see my descriptons are lacking. Flowers on the first plant are much smaller than Kousa dogwood. Second plant is not a maple... more leathery, grayish leaves (looks like it could even be evergreen), long (3 inch +) dangling soft looking gray "earings". Anyone else have any guesses?

The tree I see most with grey dangling things that are last years seed and panicles is the Laburnum

Here is a link that might be useful:

My guess on the first would be a viburnum, not sure on the second.

The first one is probably a Viburnum plicatum cultivar like 'Mariesii'. No idea on the second one.

I agree the first is some sort of viburnum - doublefiles like 'Mariesii' (mentioned above) and 'Shasta' are blooming now and the flowers do seem to 'float' above the very horizontal branching. The second plant sounds like Coast silk tassel, Garrya elliptica, although 3' is pretty skimpy for the tassels, which typically get much longer. They look their best in midwinter - right now the tassels are rather gray and pitiful looking.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garrya elliptica

Gardengal -- homerun! Those are the plants alright. Thanks for the help everyone. Anyone have any tips on growing these beauties?

Leaves of silktassel aren't irregular, you threw me with that.

Sorry bboy, I meant the overall shape of the shrub, not the leaves ;)