So it's possible based on RS's earlier recollected dates that CD was in HI sometime between approx 11/3 and 11/17. Since he and Lori were then supposedly married-and-back-in-the-Rex-town-home by 11/17, it seems likely that Lori was also in HI between approx 11/3 and 11/17.
Then CD and Lori are likely living in Rexburg in the town home between 11/17 and the welfare check on 11/26. On 11/27 they're both gone.
Then CD reappears at a family vacation 12/3 (do we know where?), probably without Lori (although she may have simply avoided having her picture taken, I think it's more likely she wasn't present). But she (and possibly CD) could've been staying nearby (the vacation location) at a hotel, or friend's or relative's place. Just wondering where Lori and CD were between 11/27 and the end of CD's vacation.
But it may not matter that much where Lori and CD were then (as far as the children's location is concerned), as I don't think she/they had the kids with her/them that late in the game (or even earlier in Rex between 11/17 and the 11/26 welfare check).
I have always leaned toward the idea that AC left Rexburg with the kids in late September (after 9/24) perhaps taking the kids with him to AZ (possible BB shooting attempt on 10/2) or maybe dropping them off at some prepper community (or disposing of them) along the way. Lori could've lied and told the kids that AC was taking them to visit friends/grandparents in AZ.
Lori and/or AC (if AC returned to Rexburg following BB) could've also dropped the kids off (or disposed of them) somewhere in ID, UT or AZ between say 10/10 (if AC was paintball) and 11/3 when CD and Lori likely went to HI to get married (and of course to grieve..). But again, kids weren't seen in Rex after 9/24..
So to sum up, the possible windows of time (approx) during which the children could have been dropped off or disposed of (and who might've accompanied them) would seem to include (at minimum):
-between 9/24 (JJ out if school) and about 10/6. Accompanied possibly by AC on his trip to AZ. Lori could've also taken the kids somewhere during this time, or she could've gone along with AC and kids on the trip to AZ.
-between 10/6 (est. possible AC return to Rex) and approx 11/3 when Lori possibly left for Hawaii. Again accompanied by Lori, AC, or both.
-between approx 11/3 (when Lori was likely in HI) and 11/17 (when she and CD were back in Rex). Accompanied by AC only. He could've taken them anywhere: ID, UT, or even back to AZ - possibly with the same lie/promise mentioned earlier, or even w/an added lie that Lori would be joining them in AZ after she got back from HI)
-after 11/17: Slim possibility that they were moved after 11/17, as unless they were temporarily placed somewhere earlier by Lori (before she went to HI) or AC (between 10/6 and 11/17), the children probably would've had to have been living with Lori and CD in the town home from 11/17 until prior to welfare check. Surely somebody would've seen the kids.
-between 11/26 (welfare check) and 12/3 (CD's family vacation, or whenever the vacation ended). Even slimmer possibility than above, as I imagine that at this time CD and Lori woulda been seriously trying to get outta Dodge, and I think by this time LE knew the kids were not with them anyway.
Then after the vacation (early Dec, I guess), CD and Lori are in the wind. I speculate they may have returned to HI (if for no other reasons than there's been no vehicle lookouts, they're familiar with HI, and there are probably like-minded people there would might be willing to help them).
I'd like to think that after the vacation, CD and Lori went to join the kids at a prepper community somewhere (where Lori and/or AC might've dropped them earlier), but I don't think this is likely (again, LE knew by then (12/3) or before that the kids were not with Lori and Chad.
MOO and speculation. Hopefully with not too many errors, holes, or logic busts.