Is there a 'normal' number of holes to drill in a first attempt? 

No.

Is there any way to know before they start how deep they want to go? 

Not unless they tell us, and they haven't.

Is there a typical size drill they would use?

No.  Moreover, there are different types of drilling depending on conditions, budgets, and goals.

Do they send samples for analysis as they come out of the ground?  Or wait until they finish the drilling schedule and then send all samples at once?

It's whatever they want.

What are the options for where to send the samples?

It's up to them.  Sometimes a company will use a favored lab, the closest one, the cheapest one, or...

What is a normal turnaround time (or is there such a thing)? 

It depends on several factors, but two to six weeks for the first returns is not uncommon if the lab does not have a lot of work and Covid or vacation schedules do not slow them.  And that is from when the first returns are received.  Sometimes, too,  the submitting company will ask the lab to hold reports until all submissions have been analyzed.     

What does it cost to do the analysis? 

That depends on what they are asked to do, which is not often made public.  They can be asked to test for all minerals or selected ones.  At present, I don't see this as a concern for us.

With a December 4th start date, what is a reasonable timetable for results to be revealed (taking into account the longest holiday period of the year)?

Dunno.

Assuming we had $1M to use for this process, what all could be accomplished with that amount of money?

For what purposes, drilling and lab work?  Again, I don't know, but I don't think that is an issue for our concern at present because we still don't know where the money came from for the underway drilling or at what cost.  Or do we?  If you do, please share it here. 

I understand the anticipation, but we will just have to wait to let things unfold in their own time and in their own way.