[PaulK]

when you jack it up and take the wheels off, remove the shocks and put the jack stands under the frame (take the skid off if you feel more comfortable) Don't put the wheels back on the car,, as you lower it down on the jack stands, the arms will just raise up and sit there,, (be gentle and maybe put rolled up cardboard or similar down to cusion the rotors) there will be practically no weight on the rotors themselves,, and like you said,,

"I guess I would Jack up the front, remove the shocks then lower onto the jackstands (Stands are not tall enough to actually leave it anywhere near the jacked up height?). I would need to then jack it up again to re-install the shocks"

Or,, measure the length of the shocks as it sits normal,, get some 1" bar stock and cut into pieces the length of the shocks (compressed on the car) drill hole in each end and substitute the bar for the shock at each corner,, this way you could still drive it around if you need to move it