1988 escort need to remove transmission. can i remove trans with axles attached or do i need to remove axles and then trans. i am going to replace both. or what would be easier?

You probably make it harder for yourself by not removing the axles... they come out easily... may as well. I usually look for some cardboard strips or anything else I have laying around to put in place of the axles to keep everything in place when the axles are removed. Stuff anything in there that is easy to get out.